Utah AG defends anti-polygamy law
Utah state attorneys defending the state’s anti-polygamy law argue it should stay on the books because it protects women and children from abuse.
The Utah attorney general is appealing a 2013 ruling striking down key provisions of the law in the case of Kody Brown and his four wives, stars of the reality TV show “Sister Wives.” The state says in newly filed court documents that monogamous marriage is an important social unit and court rulings dating to 1878 have upheld laws against polygamy.
Brown family attorney Jonathan Turley countered Monday that the state’s evidence of widespread abuse in polygamous communities is scant and the Browns show such unions can be healthy.
The state is requesting oral argument in the case and Turley is preparing his response. He has said the family is prepared to take the legal fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.
Morgan remembers ‘Jimmy Mack’
Tracy Morgan said Monday that he doesn’t remember anything about the limo crash that left him in a coma for two weeks and that, a year later, he still has bad days as well as good.
Appearing live on NBC’s “Today” show for his first public appearance since the accident, Morgan sat clutching a cane and became emotional as he recalled learning after the June 7, 2014, crash that fellow comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair was killed.
Morgan came across a video of McNair’s funeral on YouTube, and “I lost it for about a week,” he said.
Asked by “Today” host Matt Lauer what it’s been like emotionally, Morgan replied, “Up and down.” He also said he had his daughter, son and fiancee, Megan Wollover, “so they keep my spirits up.”
“But the pain is always going to be there for Jimmy Mack,” he added, his voice cracking and his eyes welling. “He was a loving man, a warm man. He was a good man. He’s gone. That’s it.”
Last week Morgan settled a lawsuit with Wal-Mart, which owned the truck that slammed into the back of the limo van carrying him and others on the New Jersey Turnpike. Morgan suffered head trauma, a broken leg and broken ribs.
“I’m happy that Wal-Mart stepped up to the plate in a tremendous way,” he said. “I’m happy they looked out for Jimmy Mack’s family.”
Birthday bunch
Author Larry McMurtry is 79. Actress Penelope Wilton (TV: “Downton Abbey”) is 69. Musician Too Slim (Riders in the Sky) is 67.