June 29, 2000
Utah Polygamist Tom Green
has been bound over for trial
in Nephi. But not on bigamy
charges.
He faces trial for allegedly raping one of his child
brides, and for non- support of his family.
The issue of bigamy has become entangled in legal
uncertainty, as News Specialist John Hollenhorst
reports.
Tom Green says he's married to numerous wives in
the eyes of God, wedding and presumably bedding
most of them at the ages of 15, 14, even 13.
TOM GREEN/ACCUSED BIGAMIST: "THE
ONLY THING I'M GUILTY OF IS
BUILDING A FAMILY. I BUILT AN
UNORTHODOX FAMILY IN AN UNORTHODOX
WAY."
Five Mrs. Greens stood up for him outside court.
CARI GREEN/PURPORTED WIFE: "'CAUSE
WE'RE NOT WILLING TO STAND BY AND
LET THE FATHER OF OUR CHILDREN GO
TO PRISON FOR LIFE."
It's not clear if the young brides will testify: They've
been subpoenaed but may refuse to incriminate Green.
Prosecutor David Leavitt showed the judge
videotapes of national t.v. shows in which the family
proclaimed the practice of polygamy as a religious
lifestyle.
DAVID LEAVITT/JUAB COUNTY ATTORNEY:
"ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT WHEN SOMEONE
CONFESSES TO THE COMMISSION OF A
FELONY ON NATIONAL TELEVISION IN MY
JURISDICTION, I'M GOING TO
PROSECUTE HIM."
The Greens have an unusual habit for a purportedly
happy family: Divorce. Green's practice has been to
marry, then divorce his women, helping to create a
legal tangle.
TOM GREEN/ACCUSED BIGAMIST: "I'VE
GOTTEN MARRIED, I'VE GOTTEN
DIVORCED. BUT WHAT MR. LEAVITT
DOESN'T LIKE IS THAT I HAVEN'T
ABANDONED THOSE I'VE DIVORCED. IF
I'D DONE THAT LIKE OTHER MEN IN
SOCIETY HAVE DONE, I'D BE OKAY, I
WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY."
DAVID LEAVITT/JUAB COUNTY ATTORNEY:
"WELL, TO SUSTAIN A CONVICTION FOR
BIGAMY, ONE MUST PROVE THAT THE
DEFENDANT IS MARRIED. AND IF WE
CAN'T PROVE THE DEFENDANT IS
MARRIED THEN HE HAS COMMITTED NO
CRIME."
The judge says a marriage may be valid under state
law, even without a license. But until he rules on the
tricky subtleties of marriage law, it's not clear if Tom
Green's wives are really wives.
LEEANN GREEN/PURPORTED WIFE:
"THERE'RE GOING TO BE PEOPLE WITH
TOM. AND THAT'S JUST SO FAR FROM
THE TRUTH. EVERY ONE OF US CHOSE TO
LIVE THIS WAY, AND WE'RE STILL
MAKING THAT CHOICE."
Outside court, two women demonstrated in favor of
polygamy, one anonymously, fearing repercussions.
"PERSECUTION."
But a skeptical passerby confronted them about the
youthful age of many polygamous wives.
"SHOULD WE LEGALIZE PEDOPHILIA?"
Green could face life in prison if he's convicted of
raping one of his young wives. John Hollenhorst,
Eyewitness News, Nephi.
Green will be arraigned on the rape and non-support
charges July 11th. After the judge rules on the
marriage questions, he'll decide whether to order
another trial on bigamy charges.
