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American Morning

Polygamy Trial in Utah Under Way

Aired May 15, 2001 - 09:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, a jury has been seated in Utah in what is believed to be the nation's biggest polygamy trial in 50 years. Defendant Tom Green has five wives and 29 children. He faces four counts of bigamy and one count of failing to pay child support.

Reporter David Northfield of our affiliate, KTVX, has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID NORTHFIELD, KTVX REPORTER (voice-over): Tom Green arrived for trial with his usual air of quiet confidence. If he's found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. All five wives and 10 children came to support him.

Before jury selection, Green and his attorney argued a motion to have the state's case thrown out, claiming Green couldn't have violated the bigamy statute.

TOM GREEN, DEFENDANT: They can't have it both ways. Either you're eligible to marry or you're not eligible to marry. If you're eligible to marry for a common-law marriage, then you can't be guilty of bigamy.

NORTHFIELD: They lost, and jury selection began. Wife Linda Kunz says the family is scared, especially the children.

LINDA KUNZ, POLYGAMIST'S WIFE: We've been sitting here watching the jury members come in and -- and, you know, they -- looking at these people knowing that these are the men and women that are going to decide whether or not their father comes home with us at end of the week.

NORTHFIELD: If he doesn't, 14-year-old, Melvin, won't have much time for computer games because he'll become the spiritual head of household.

MELVIN GREEN. POLYGAMIST'S SON: I'd probably get a lot more responsibility and I'd have to take care of a lot more things at home because Father is not there, and it won't be the same because he's the biggest part of my life.

NORTHFIELD: Some siblings pass the time coloring. A sister drew a picture and gave it to Prosecutor David Leavitt. It said, "Please don't put my daddy in jail." (END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And our thanks go out to reporter David Northfield of our affiliate, KTVX. We'll continue to follow that story.

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