Lack of polygamy prosecutions explained
 
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The Tri-State News Network
Murphy Broadcasting, Inc.
 
KINGMAN, Ariz

Why has there been little prosecution in Colorado City? TSN talked with Former Mohave County Attorney Bill Ekstrom to get his answer.

"We were very concerned about allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse of young women. We investigated those with the resources we had and I know the Attorney General's office has done the same thing. And those cases just didn't happen. Essentially you have individuals who don't perceive themselves to be victims and who are unwilling to cooperate with any kind of prosecution and hence the facts never came out," he said. "Well essentially you have to have a good case and investigation, before you can prosecute. So it is very difficult, particularly in a community where there is not a lot of law enforcement resources and a lot of information coming out. So over the course of time, we solicited the assistance of the Attorney General of Arizona, four or five years ago. And they directed some resources towards an investigation and even they were unable to come up with anything prosecutable."

Polygamy is constitutionally prohibition in Arizona but there is no corresponding criminal statute. A bill has been introduced in the state Legislature this year, making polygamy a criminal offense.
 
The Tri-State News Network
Originally published Monday, February 23, 2004
 
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