SISTER Wives star Janelle Brown has shared her joy after polygamy was "decriminalized" in the state of Utah.
Janelle's husband Kody and his wives sued the state in 2012 after they were investigated by police for bigamy.
Over the weekend, Republican Governor Gary Herbert signed the Senate Bill 102 that reduces the punishment of bigamy to that of a parking fine.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Christine wrote: "Happy news! After passing through the state legislature almost unanimously, religious polygamy is no longer a felony.
"This does not mean bigamy is allowed. People who are committing other crimes such as child abuse and fraud will still be prosecuted just like anyone else committing those crimes is.
"This is a monumental step."
Happy news!After passing through the state legislature almost unanimously, religious polygamy is no longer a felony.This does not mean bigamy is allowed.People who are committing other crimes such as child abuse and fraud will still be prosecuted just like anyone else committing those crimes is.This is a monumental step.
A post shared byjanellebrown117 (@janellebrown117) on
Her followers commented with their support, calling it a "huge win".
Kody Brown has four wives: Janelle, Meri, Christine and Robyn, and the family has a total of 18 children.
Polygamy means having more than one wife or husband at the same time, while bigamy is the offense of getting married again while already married.
Plural marriages are synonymous with the Mormon religion with an estimated 30-40,000 people in Utah following it, according to pro-polygamy groups.
Meanwhile it's been a dramatic time on Sister Wives.
Robyn recently pushed Kody to rent a home “far” from his three other wives and the children he shares with each.
Kody and fourth wife Robyn, who fans have dubbed Kody’s “favorite,” have been arguing in recent episodes over whether to rent or buy a home in Arizona.
Kody has been pushing Robyn to buy a home because there are no rentals available, but she has been against the idea because it will stall the family financially from building four homes on property purchased in June 2018.
Robyn, who shares five children with Kody, said on the episode: "We had to put an offer on something just so we have that as a backup. It’s something Kody likes and Kody picked.
“Unfortunately, we’re not ready to close on the house Kody picked. We asked them if we could short term rent the house.”
Despite putting an offer on the home, Robyn has still been looking for rentals and found one near Sedona, a half hour away from Meri, Janelle, Christine and their children.
She said on the show: “I was pushing for this idea of this rental a half hour away and Kody just went, ‘No. That’s ridiculous. I’ll never see my kids.’”
Kody added: “I spend hours a week driving between homes. If we decide to rent a home half-way to Sedona, that’s just too far. That is too far in my book.
“That is about my relationship with my children. It’s not even about my wives. It’s how much distance I have between my kids.”
Meri, Christine and Janelle are living in separate homes with their children as they wait to be able to afford building on the land.
Viewers of the episode slammed Robyn over the idea.
One tweeted: “Of course, Robyn wants to rent a house in Sedona, which is further away from the other kids. It’s always about her and HER kids.”
A second fired: “Robyn wanting to rent in Sedona says it all [about] how she feels [about] her Sister Wives and their kids. So selfish!”
A third wrote: “Why would Robyn even suggest a rental place in Sedona that’s so far away from the other families? That’s selfish.”
The episode comes as fans speculate Kody is currently in coronavirus quarantine with Robyn, as the other wives have posted without him.
Although he spent his 26th wedding anniversary with Christine, she posted videos and photos with no Kody in sight after the celebration.
Also on the show, the couple explained how the issues of renting over buying has had a negative affect on their relationship.
Robyn said: "We have been at odds for months. There is no resolution in sight. It’s been wearing on us.”
Kody added: “Because we are at odds with each other on buying or renting a house, it’s hard not to be at odds in many things.
“It puts a strain on our relationship. It’s ridiculous. It’s pathetic and it makes me feel terrible.”
Christine added in her confessional that Robyn seems "miserable."
On recent Sister Wives episodes, Kody threatened to “dissolve” their marriage twice over the issue.
He even admitted to “bullying” Robyn into purchasing a home.
The family moved from Las Vegas to Arizona in August 2018.
Source: Read Full Article