The case against a man who allegedly got married twice in seven years without divorcing his first wife began in the San Fernando High Court yesterday. Dexter Alexander, 43, pleaded not guilty to the charge of bigamy when the matter began under Justice Anthony Carmona. The charge alleges that on October 26, 1996 he married Rhonda Alicia Forbes during the lifetime of his first wife Debra Mitchell. The charge, laid under Sec 55 (1) of the Offences Against the Person Act, carries a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment. The State is alleging that Alexander got married to Mitchell, then 23, on Saturday August 23, 1989 and then married Forbes, then 23, in October 1996.
The State opened the case, but was unable to call any witness because Alexander's mother-in-law died on Wednesday night. His attorney, Carol Foderingham, requested an adjournment because the accused had to make the necessary preparations for her funeral. She said the funeral might either be tomorrow or Sunday. Giving the jury a synopsis of the case, State prosecutor Jennifer Martin said Alexander, then 27, got married to Forbes at Lachoos Road, Penal in October 1996. Pastor Peter Francis conducted the ceremony and the marriage was registered. Forbes knew the accused for 11 months.
The couple, she said, had received counselling prior to the wedding. Sometime later an argument took place between the accused and his sister in the presence of Forbes. Forbes then sought to have the marriage annulled. PC Kenneth Morgan conducted enquiries at the Registrar General Office and obtained the marriage licence for Mitchell and Forbes. Alexander subsequently went to the Anti-Corruption Bureau accompanied by his attorney where he met PC Morgan. The prosecutor said Alexander told the officer, "I know about a marriage in a church and I know about a ceremony in ah house." Martin said Alexander was arrested and charged on August 3, 2003.
She was instructed by State attorney Chris Ramlal. The matter was adjourned to next week Tuesday.
