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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The leaders of a polygamous community in western Canada have asked a court to dismiss the polygamy charges or order the government to pay legal costs.
Lawyer Bruce Elwood told a B.C. Supreme Court judge Monday the government went "prosecutor shopping" in order to lay charges.
In January, authorities arrested Winston Blackmore, 52, and James Oler, 44, who lead rival polygamous factions in Bountiful, a town in southeastern British Columbia. Blackmore is charged with marrying 20 women and Oler is accused of marrying two women.
Elwood told the court that former provincial attorney general Wally Oppal rejected two independent special prosecutors recommendations that charges not be laid. Charges were laid after a third prosecutor agreed with Oppal.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
