BIGAMY CHARGE FAILS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 173, 26 July 1935, Page 8

BIGAMY CHARGE FAILS

NO P3.00F THAT WIFE IS ALIVE. ( Per Association ) PALMERSTON N., July 25. Unusual features surrounded a bigamy charge, preferred against William Albert Joiin Kitteridge, in the {Supreme Court. It was alleged that he went through a form of marriage in November 1928, when he was already married in May 1916 at Poplar, London. In a statement to the police tne accused said his wife left the Dominion with two children in 1923 for England. In 1927 he received a letter from Leonard Taylor, ship's liienian, who previously lived witii Mrs. Kit tcridge in Wellington for three weeks, stating that she was happily married. Tne letter did not say to whom, but presumed it was to Taylor l.imseif, who once vowed he would get her one day. In 1928 accused married a secund time a woman who also left him, but before leaving admitted he was nei second husband. He last saw her in 1929. Accused’s counsel submitted that the Crown must prove that accused's first wife was still alive in 1928. In any case, Kitteridge was entitled to suppose his first wife had divorced him. His Honour agreed that the Crown must prove that the first wile was was alive and the jury returned a verdict uf not guilty.