Two leaders of a polygamous religious community in B.C. have been charged for the second time with practising polygamy.
Winston Blackmore and James Oler, who lead separate factions in the community of Bountiful, one hour west of Cranbrook, were each charged Wednesday with one count of polygamy.
Winston Blackmore was in Cranbrook on Thursday, and gave a statement on the matter to Mike Turner of Global News.
"Yesterday being August the 13, 2014, after learning that the RCMP was looking for me, I went into the local detachment of the RCMP in Creston at 7 o'clock, at which time I surrendered my passport, and was charged with the same charge I was charged with five and a half years ago — that being polygamy, and nothing more," Blackmore said.
"Anyone who knows anything at all about the original doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, which is the doctrine I follow, knows good and well that the principle of plural marriage and congregational living, where people work together for the good of the whole with a common view of taking care of everybody is part of that doctrine. Those are basic foundations of my faith.
"There is really nothing more to be said."
Blackmore also told Turner that "I certainly get tired of this constant legal battle."