CHARGED WITH BIGAMY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 17 January 1931, Page 7

CHARGED WITH BIGAMY

PLEA OF GUILTY (By, Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, loth January. 1 A chef, Joseph Edward Cochrane, aged 31, appeared in the Police Court this afternoon on a charge of bigamy. Evidence was given that on 13th November, 1923, at Thame's, accused married Jane .Theresa Kearney, and that on 23rd September, 1929, while then married, lie,' went through a form of marriage with Haidee Henwood Dyason at Onehunga. In a statement made to the detective who arrested him, the accused said that in 1925 his wife refused to join him in the country, where he was working. He returned to her, and they lived together for two years. Finally his wife left him, taking their child with her. He asked her to return, lmt she refused, stating that she did not care for him any more. He afterwards obtainted an order for restitution of conjugal rights, but 1 did not proceed further with the matter.

“On 20th December, 1928, I married a waitress at Helensville,” said Cochrane, “but on-25th January, 1929, she died at Helensville. In marrying again I knew I was doing wrong, as my first wife was still alive, and the marriage had not been dissolved, but as she would not live with me, and as I had no money for a divorce, I was forced to do what I did and ignore the first marriage.” Cochrane pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.