NELSON, B.C. AP -- A member of the Sons of Freedom Doukhobours was returned to
court for of fear that she may starve herself to death before she is sentenced
on an arson conviction.
At a hearing Monday in British Columbia Supreme Court, Justice Mark McEwan
moved up the sentencing of Mary Braun, 81, to Thursday from Nov. 19.
A prosecutor, Oliver Butterfield, said Braun went on a hunger strike 16 days
earlier at the women's correctional center in Burnaby, a Vancouver suburb.
"Her stated purpose was to fast for world peace," Butterfield said in
court. "She had no intention of ending her fast and would fast until her
death."
One of the last active members of the Freedomite sect, Braun was convicted Aug.
30 of setting fire to the Crescent Valley community college earlier that month.
Her trial date also was moved up because of her history of hunger strikes.
She went 22 days without food in 1993 while she and fellow Freedomite Tina
Jmaeff were serving time for arson. Jmaeff went 55 days without food, leaving
her in critical condition and dependent on oxygen.
A feeble Braun entered the courtroom Monday with the help of a bailiff.
As she did during her trial, Braun disrobed once in the witness box.
Defense lawyer Ken Wyllie said he was unaware of his client's hunger strike
until he was advised by her daughter. He told McEwan he realizes Braun's
fasting puts pressure on the system and advised her to eat.
"This is not a gesture or attempt to manipulate proceedings or garner
sympathy with the court," Wyllie said.
Despite reports that Braun resumed eating last weekend, all parties agreed to
move her sentencing to Thursday.
Doukhobours hold that an individual reaches the purest state of existence by
dismissing all worldly possessions returning to the innocent nakedness of Adam
and Eve.
Freedomites, who are separate from mainstream Doukhobours, have used arson and
nudity to demonstrate their religious beliefs. They believe burning material
possessions is spiritually cleansing and doesn't constitute a crime.