BIGAMY CHARGES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1929, Page 2

BIGAMY CHARGES

WIVES COMPARE NOTES

(By Telegraph—Per Press xlssociation.)

AUCKLAND, Nov. 14

Charges of committing bigamy and of making a false declaration were denied by Charles Mozart Spinley, aged 45, in the Police Court. It was alleged that accused went through a form of marriage with Annie Mary Whelan, at Hamilton, in 1925 when he was already married to Lena Norman Foote.

Lena Norman Spinley said that she was married to the accused at Mataliuru, near Ohinewai, in 1911. They did not get on well together, and they separated in 1920. The accused paid maintenance to her l'or a time, but tnis ceased. About a year later, the accused visited her, and asked her to return to hint, hut she refused.

Detective O’Sullivan said that the accused denied his first marriage, stating he was a bachelor when he was married the second time. Annie Mary Whelan said that, nineteen months after her marriage to the accused, they went to visit his brother in the country, and while there, his sisler-in-hnv taxed him with being married to another woman. Witness advertised for the first wife. They met, and they compared their marriage certificates, and witness then left the accused. The accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Prior to hearing of evidence, Spinley was convicted and discharged on three charges of obtaining sums totalling £l9 19s by means of false pretences. It was stated by the police that he was already serving a term of imprisonment.