(REUTERS) A polygamous family made famous on reality TV show “Sister Wives” will not face Utah criminal charges of bigamy, state prosecutors said on Thursday, as they sought to have a federal judge dismiss a challenge to Utah’s law against multiple marriage partners.
A bigamy investigation — centered on Kody Brown, the four women he lives with and their 17 children — was launched by Utah County prosecutors in October 2010, shortly after the family made their lifestyle public on their show on cable network TLC. Utah County is south of Salt Lake City and had been home to the Brown family, who lived in the town of Lehi.
No charges were ever brought, but Brown and his partners — Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn — Â countered the threat of prosecution with a federal court lawsuit filed in July 2011 that contends Utah’s ban on having more than one marriage partner violates the U.S. Constitution.
