CHARGE OF BIGAMY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20875, 15 November 1929, Page 10

CHARGE OF BIGAMY.

WIVES COMPARE CERTIFICATES ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (Per United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND, November 14. Charges of committing bigamy and of making a false declaration were denied by Charles Mozart Spinley, aged 45, in the Police Court to-day. It was alleged that the accused went through the form of marriage with Annie Mary Whelan at Hamilton in 1925, when he was already married to Lena Norman Foote. Lena Norman Spinley said she was married to the accused at Matahuru. near Ohinewai, in 1911, They did not get on well together and separated in 1920. The accused paid maintenance to her for a time, but this ceased. About a year later the accused visited her and asked her to return to him, but she refused. Detective O’Sullivan said’ the accused denied stating that he was a bachelor when he was married a second time. Annie Mary Whelan said that 19 months after her marriage’ to the accused they went to visit his brother in the country, and while they were there the accused’s sister-in-law taxed him with being married to another woman. Witness advertised for the first wife. They met and compared their marriage certificates, and witness then left the accused. The accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Prior to the hearing of evidence Spinley was convicted and discharged on three charges of obtaining sums totalling £l9 10s by means of false pretences. It was stated by the police that lie was already serving a term of imprisonment.