Man who believes in plural marriage should be convicted on right charges
Posted on September 27th, 2007
This is a letter to the editor of a Kansas newspaper. This gentleman, like many others, is perplexed over the discrepancies in the Jeffs case. I don't think anyone would disagree that Jeffs was a predator of young women to marry off. But why wasn't the one that actually did the apparent rape charged equally? The writer also encourages the state of Utah to allow and regulate polygamous relationships. This is a very interesting take on what is becoming quite a controversial topic.
Personally, I am glad Warren Jeffs was convicted on two felony counts in Utah. However, I am perplexed over the imbalance with the charges he was pinned on as an "accomplice to a rape" versus the lack of charges against the man who was the actual "rapist."
Was justice done?
I think this hodgepodge of a discrepancy is what gives our legal system a black-eye. The case stemmed from a young woman who alleges that when she was 14, she was "forced to marry" her then-19-year-old male cousin.
According to Utah law, 14 was the legal age of consent. Furthermore, it was solely a monogamous relationship, which makes this even more confusing.
The case against Warren Jeffs was built around his words of encouragement toward this marital arrangement. I think we're on a slippery-slope if mere words of encouragement (even if they border on domineering) are grounds for a felonious conviction while the primary offender had no charges brought against him.
I condemn anyone who preys on underage children. And, I have no sympathy for Warren Jeffs. He deserves prison time for other offenses.
However, I think Utah authorities need to legalize adult plural marriages. Put some responsibilities in writing, set forth strict guidelines and make it an environment of regular monitoring.
That would weed-out the bad apples and allow the majority of upright adults who sincerely believe in Old Testament types of plural marriages to live in harmony, raising their children without fear of ostracism in an open and monitored environment.
The sensationalist label "polygamist" is what drew news crews to Warren Jeffs. But, he has given polygamy a bad name. He is a predator who masqueraded behind the cloak of plural marriage.
I say: Utah leaders should separate the issues. Adult plural marriage should be regulated. If it were, the authorities could concentrate fully on child predators.
Their type of abuse should always be prosecuted, and such abuse can occur whether it is a "marriage" setting or not. Justice should be rendered fairly without being tainted by "hype" or lurid headlines connecting such actions with polygamy.
Man who believes in plural marriage should be convicted on right charges
Posted on September 27th, 2007
This is a letter to the editor of a Kansas newspaper. This gentleman, like many others, is perplexed over the discrepancies in the Jeffs case. I don't think anyone would disagree that Jeffs was a predator of young women to marry off. But why wasn't the one that actually did the apparent rape charged equally? The writer also encourages the state of Utah to allow and regulate polygamous relationships. This is a very interesting take on what is becoming quite a controversial topic.
Personally, I am glad Warren Jeffs was convicted on two felony counts in Utah. However, I am perplexed over the imbalance with the charges he was pinned on as an "accomplice to a rape" versus the lack of charges against the man who was the actual "rapist."
Was justice done?
I think this hodgepodge of a discrepancy is what gives our legal system a black-eye. The case stemmed from a young woman who alleges that when she was 14, she was "forced to marry" her then-19-year-old male cousin.
According to Utah law, 14 was the legal age of consent. Furthermore, it was solely a monogamous relationship, which makes this even more confusing.
The case against Warren Jeffs was built around his words of encouragement toward this marital arrangement. I think we're on a slippery-slope if mere words of encouragement (even if they border on domineering) are grounds for a felonious conviction while the primary offender had no charges brought against him.
I condemn anyone who preys on underage children. And, I have no sympathy for Warren Jeffs. He deserves prison time for other offenses.
However, I think Utah authorities need to legalize adult plural marriages. Put some responsibilities in writing, set forth strict guidelines and make it an environment of regular monitoring.
That would weed-out the bad apples and allow the majority of upright adults who sincerely believe in Old Testament types of plural marriages to live in harmony, raising their children without fear of ostracism in an open and monitored environment.
The sensationalist label "polygamist" is what drew news crews to Warren Jeffs. But, he has given polygamy a bad name. He is a predator who masqueraded behind the cloak of plural marriage.
I say: Utah leaders should separate the issues. Adult plural marriage should be regulated. If it were, the authorities could concentrate fully on child predators.
Their type of abuse should always be prosecuted, and such abuse can occur whether it is a "marriage" setting or not. Justice should be rendered fairly without being tainted by "hype" or lurid headlines connecting such actions with polygamy.