Defence argues case against follower of polygamous sect is unproven
CRANBROOK, B.C. — The lawyer for one of three people with ties to a British Columbia polygamous community says the prosecution has not met the burden of proof that his client intended to remove a 13-year-old girl from Canada for a sexual purpose.
John Gustafson said in closing arguments Tuesday there’s reasonable doubt the girl was removed from Canada by Brandon Blackmore and that his client was certain sexual contact with an older man would take place if he did bring her across the border.
He told the court the notion his client ought to have known is not enough and there would have had to be “certainty or substantial certainty.”
“There must be actual subjective knowledge,” Gustafson told B.C. Supreme Court Justice Paul Pearlman.