Blackmore, Oler appear in court to face polygamy, related charges
Judge adjourns cases until Dec. 4 to allow accused to retain lawyers
It was a Blackmore family day in the Creston Law Courts on Thursday morning, where two leaders of opposing Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints factions appeared to face polygamy charges.
Winston Kay Blackmore sat in the public section of the courtroom, surrounded by eight daughters and a granddaughter. He was represented, on a temporary basis, by Vancouver attorney Alison Latimer and was not required to speak to Judge Grant Sheard. The indictment against Blackmore alleges that he has 24 wives.
James Marion Oler, Blackmore’s brother- in- law, has requested time to hire a lawyer. Oler is charged with one count of polygamy and one count of unlawful removal of a child from Canada for sexual purposes. Four women are listed as wives on the polygamy indictment.
The Oler- led faction is said to keep close ties with the followers of FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs, who is now serving a life sentence in Texas for child- sex crimes.
Both cases were adjourned until Dec. 4 so the men could retain counsel.
Also appearing in court were Blackmore’s son, Brandon James Blackmore, and his wife, Emily Ruth Crossfield, who are charged with unlawfully removing a child under 16 from Canada for sexual purposes. Neither has retained counsel and Sheard suggested they speak to the legal aid lawyer in the courthouse.
The husband and wife are followers of Oler’s faction.
When asked outside the courthouse if he speaks to his son often, Winston Blackmore said, “Not for a long, long time.” Their case was also postponed.
Crown prosecutor Peter Wilson consented to Latimer’s request that Winston Blackmore be allowed to cross into the U. S. because he has family on both sides of the border. Sheard agreed to amend previous conditions that required him to remain in B. C. or Alberta. Blackmore will still have to report to the Creston RCMP every other Wednesday.
Oler made a quick exit from the courthouse, avoiding questions from reporters. But Blackmore, dressed in a black suit and tie with a white shirt and wearing a baseball cap with the initials WB, stayed outside for interviews and to pose for photos, including some with his daughters and granddaughter.
“A little bit sick,” Blackmore said when asked how he felt. “I don’t really know that much ( about the prosecution’s case). I haven’t seen anything and it’s probably wise not to say anything.”
On facing polygamy charges “again,” he said, “I will absolutely defend.”
How that defence will be made is unclear, as Blackmore said his financial situation prevented hiring Latimer except on an interim basis.
“I’m worried about money,” he admitted.
Asked about how he will carry on with his life with what could be a lengthy trial looming, he said, “We just live one day at a time and we’ll do the best we can.”
“It’s Thanksgiving weekend,” he said. “I’m just going to go home and be thankful.”