The news outlets indicate TSM has no intention of showing up for the UK trial. Does the trial still go forward with TSM tried in absentia? What happens if he is found guilty but isn't there? Most TBMs still have no idea of the upcoming trial and I'm wondering if anyone knows how this plays out when the accused doesn't even show up for the trial.

An arrest warrant will be issued.

Stay tuned for further developments.

So he never goes to the UK again to avoid arrest. Can they confiscate church property as an alternative?

That would be pretty amazing...confiscate all church property and force the church to go underground. Send all the missionaries home as well. That would prompt even some rabid TMB's to dig deeper and learn the truth. Others might hold out and meet with other members in private waiting for Jesus' imminent return. Others might leave the country. In any case, the church would effectively cease to exist in England.

The world will get smaller for him as other actions are taken against him in other countries.

Also, *if* an arrest warrant were to be issued for him in the U.K., it would not be safe for him to visit any EU-country as within EU extradition isn't much of an issue (more akin to extraditing someone from California to Texas on federal charges).

Is this really an issue? When was the last time Monson traveled outside the US? Seems to me that confiscation of assets is a much bigger threat.

Depends on wether his no show was prearranged with the court or wether he just fails to show and doesn't send representation.

I personally expect him not to show at the first hearing in the hopes the lawyers can make it all go away.

Off with his head...

The Queen will send in 007 to get him.

James Bond vs The Danites. Monson as Dr Evil. Yes, the world DOES make sense...

Anyone know where to order sharks with frickin' lasers on their foreheads?

I know how to get sharks. I also know how to get lasers. Well, those laser pointer pins that you annoy your cat with. Also, sharks only attack if they are hungry, and rarely go after anything their own size, unless they think it is a seal. So I don't know how effective this plan is going to be.

How would any of us, possibly excepting TP, know? My utterly worthless opinion is he won't personally go, but some lawyers will show up on his behalf. That provides credible presence to avoid outright contempt of court status. After the first meeting? I don't even have a worthless opinion at that point.

I tend to agree with this.

We all know he doesn't really do that much, but could he (or his lawyers) throw out a "Hey, I'm trying to run a church here" type thing? I mean, would the Pope show up if he was in the same position or would "his people" handle it?

I suspect the church will try to run interference for him just so he doesn't say something senile on the stand.

The pope is a head of state, so he has diplomatic immunity.

As others have said, if he simply doesn't show up, then a warrant will be issued for his arrest. That's not an opinion, that's simply how the law works.

But that will never happen. Monson isn't a moron. He'll send legal representation who will ask that he be excused from personally appearing. He has a few good excuses, and I would guess that the judge will probably accept that. It'd be nice if she didn't, because it would be fantastic to see Monson dragged before the court for the whole world to see. But I really don't see that happening at this stage. I would imagine that the wheels were set into motion for him to be excused (at least from these initial hearings), starting almost the instant the Morg heard about the case.

I'm sure their lawyers are also equally hard at work trying to get the case thrown out before Monson has to respond at all. That would obviously be the best case scenario for the Morg, but I don't know the likelihood of their success in that, after a judge has already looked over some preliminary arguments and found the case to be valid.

Does the UK have some type of American fifth amendment regarding self incrimination?

As a general rule, everyone's day is a little brighter when TSM doesn't show up.

If TSM doesn't show up, that's when we publish the 12th Article of Faith far and wide...opening another whole can of worms for LDS Inc.

But, then...
Joseph Smith didn't "obey, honor and sustain the Law", OR subject himself to Kings, Presidents OR MAGISTRATES.
Why do we think Monson would?
Jus wonderin'...

Considering that we have an extradition treaty with the UK, if a judge in the UK orders his arrest, the US will turn him over to UK authorities.

I don't think he will show up.

I think the case will be settled with a huge amount of money.

We will never know the truth behind the scenes.

It will appear the 2 victims dropped the case and changed their minds.

In reality, they made off with millions -- hundreds of millions.

Watch and listen.

I think if he actually did show up, we would all be picking our jaws up off the floor.

Perhaps the Articles of Faith might be referred to as

"Guidelines and Suggestions"

Aof F are only for the little people.

deco Wrote:
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> Perhaps the Articles of Faith might be referred to
> as
>
> "Guidelines and Suggestions"


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I don't know that we teach the 12th article of faith anymore.....it's more of a couplet

I like that ....a couplet.

If it rhymed it could be more enjoyable too.