State v. . Williams

Clarksok, J.

At tbe close of tbe State’s evidence, and at tbe conclusion of all tbe evidence, tbe defendants made motion in tbe court below for judgment of nonsuit. N. C. Code, 1939 (Micbie), sec. 4643. Tbe court below overruled these motions and in this we can see no error.

Tbe defendants are indicted under N. C. Code, supra, sec. 4342, wbicb is as follows: “If any person being married shall marry any other person during tbe life of tbe former husband or wife, every such offender, and every person counseling, aiding or abetting such offender, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be imprisoned in tbe State’s Prison or county jail for any term not less than four months nor more than ten years. Any such offense may be dealt with, tried, determined and punished in tbe county where tbe offender shall be apprehended, or be in custody, as if the offense bad been actually committed in that county. If any person, being married, shall contract a marriage with any other person outside of this State, which marriage would be punishable as bigamous if contracted within this State, and shall thereafter cohabit with such person in this State, he shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished as in cases of bigamy. Nothing contained in this section shall extend to any person marrying a second time, whose husband or wife shall have been continually absent from such person for the space of seven years then last past; and shall not have been known by such person to have been living within that time; nor to any person who at the time of said second marriage shall have been lawfully divorced from the bond of the first marriage; nor to any person whose former marriage shall have been declared void by the sentence of any court of competent jurisdiction.”

At common law, the second marriage was always void and from the earliest history of England polygamy has been treated as an offense against society. It is considered as a crime against the marital relation rather than against the wife. Bigamy and polygamy are likewise crimes by the laws of all civilized and Christian countries.

Mr. Justice Waite said: “From that day (the date of the enactment of the bigamy statute in Yirginia, 12 Hening’s Stat. 691), to this we think it may safely be said there never has been a time in any State of the Union when polygamy has not been an offense against society, cognizable by the civil courts and punishable with more or less severity.” Reynolds v. United States, 98 U. S., 145 (165), 25 L. Ed., 244.

The defendants’ exception and assignment of error to the following question and answer, elicited from the State’s witness, T. A. Thompson, cannot be sustained: “Q. Do you know whether they are living together and have been living together for some time in Pineola as husband and wife? Ans.: Tes. Q. Have they? Ans.: Yes.”

E. G. Buchanan, a witness for the State, later testified: “I live in Pineola, Avery County. I know the two defendants, Mr. Williams and the woman, and have known them for about eight months. They live in Pineola as man and wife. (Cross-examination.) I have known them something like six or eight months. I have been to their home twice. I have known their general reputation since they have been in the community, and it is good.” There was no exception or assignment of error made by defendants to this later testimony. In fact, the defendants cross-examined the witness. This evidence was plenary to be submitted to the jury under the bill of indictment that defendants were living-together in Avery County, North Carolina, as man and wife. They were tried in Caldwell County, North Carolina, but the statute, sec. 4342, supra, permits this.

In Shelton v. R. R., 193 N. C., 670 (674), it is written: “It is thoroughly established in this State that if incompetent evidence is admitted over objection, but the same evidence has theretofore or thereafter been given in other parts of the examination without objection, the benefit of the exception is ordinarily lost. Smith v. R. R., 163 N. C., 143; Tillett v. R. R., 166 N. C., 515; Beaver v. Fetter, 176 N. C., 334; Marshall v. Tel Co., 181 N. C., 410.” S. v. Hudson, 218 N. C., 219 (230).

The defendants contend that they are protected under the proviso to 4342, supra: “Nothing contained in this section shall extend to any person marrying a second time . . . nor to any person who at the time of said second marriage shall have been lawfully divorced from the bond of the first marriage.”

The defendants contend that the question involved is: “Can the courts of North Carolina sustain a conviction upon an indictment charging bigamous cohabitation under Consolidated Statutes, N. C. Code, section 4342, when the evidence shows that both of the defendants have been legally and properly divorced under the laws of a sister State?” We do not think from this record that the defendants can make the contention in this jurisdiction.

As to defendant O. B. Williams: The evidence is to the effect that defendant O. B. Williams was married to Carrie Ora (Wyke) Williams on 30 May, 1916, in Caldwell County, N. C.; that they lived together as husband and wife between 23 and 24 years, or until about 7 May, 1940. That they had reared a family of four children. That she had not brought any action for divorce against him. That she lives about four miles east of Granite Falls, Caldwell County, N. C. On 26 June, 1940, O. B. Williams brought an action against Oarrie Ora Williams,' in Clark County, Nevada. The complaint alleges that tbey were married in Granite Falls, N. C., in the month o£ November, 1916, and are now husband and wife. That for a period of more than six weeks immediately preceding the commencement of this action, he has been and now is a resident of Clark County, Nevada. He alleges that his wife during the time of their marriage has been guilty of extreme cruelty towards him, by her words, actions and conduct. The plaintiff in that action prays judgment against the defendant dissolving the bonds of matrimony existing between them and restoring said parties to the status of single persons. This complaint was filed by I. S. Thompson, attorney. It was subscribed and sworn to before I. S. Thompson, a notary public, on 26 June, 1940, who attached his seal. The affidavit of Publication of Summons was filed on 18 July, 1940. It was subscribed and sworn to before I. S. Thompson on 16 July, 1940, who attached his seal of office. The Order Directing Publication of Summons was made by Roger Eoley, District Judge, on 18 July, 1940. The Summons issued by the clerk was dated 26 June, 1940. Below was written “I. S. Thompson, Atty. for plaintiff.” Summons Returned and filed 22 August, 1940. The Order for Publication of Summons and Complaint by Roger Eoley, District Judge (1) by publication for a period of four weeks, (2) on defendant in North Carolina by mailing.

The following affidavit was filed: “I received the within summons on the 18th day of July, A.D., 1940, and that I personally served the same upon the within named defendant, Mrs. O. B. Williams, on the 22nd day of July, A.D., 1940, at Granite Ealls, County of Caldwell, North Carolina, by then and there delivering to her, the said defendant, personally, a copy of said summons attached to a certified copy of the complaint in the within entitled action. Dated this 22nd day of July, A.D., 1940. J. E. Parlier, Sheriff Caldwell County, State of North Carolina.” Affidavit of Parlier, dated 22 July, 1940, as to service of summons before E. H. Hoover, clerk Superior Court of above State and county. Decree on 26 August, 1940, by Roger Eoley, District Judge — the same practically as the decree of divorce heretofore set out in full which was granted Lillie Esther Hendrix. The only difference was to fit the facts as to the method of service. This action was numbered 10650.

Then comes the Judgment Roll, Praecipe for Default, signed by I. S. Thompson, attorney for plaintiff. Then Default Order, signed by the clerk, on 26 August, 1940. Then certain certificates, not material.

As to defendant Lillie Shaver Hendrix: The evidence is to the effect that defendant, Lillie Shaver Hendrix, was married to George Thomas Hendrix about 20 years ago (time of trial Eebruary-March Term, 1941), and lived in Caldwell County, N. C., as husband and wife until May, '1940. That he brought no action for divorce against her. That Lillie Shaver Hendrix (action entitled Lillie Esther Hendrix), as plaintiff, brought an action against George Thomas Hendrix on 26 June, 1940, in Clark County, Nevada. The complaint alleges that they were married on 27 June, 1920, in Icard, N. O., and are now husband and wife. That for a period of more than six weeks immediately preceding the commencement of this action, she has been and is now a resident of Clark County, Nevada. She alleges that her husband willfully neglected, for over a year immediately preceding the action, to provide her with the common necessities of life,, though able to do so, and has been guilty of extreme mental cruelty towards her by words, action and conduct, and during the term of their married life has been guilty of extreme cruelty towards her. The plaintiff prayed judgment against the defendant dissolving the bonds of matrimony existing between them, restoring said parties to the status of single persons. It was subscribed and sworn to before I. S. Thompson, a notary public, on 26 June, 1940, who attached his seal. He was also her attorney.

The affidavit for Publication of Summons was filed 22 July, 1940, subscribed and sworn to on 20 July, 1940, before I. S. Thompson, notary public, attaching seal. The Order Directing Publication of Summons was made by Roger Foley, District Judge. The Summons issued by the clerk was dated 26 June, .1940, and below was written “I. S. Thompson, Attorney for plaintiff.” Affidavit of Mailing Copy of Complaint to defendant at Akron, Ohio, setting forth certain facts, was signed by Geo. W. Thompson (the last name the same as the attorney), not a party to the action, and subscribed and sworn to 10 August, 1940, before I. S. Thompson, notary public, attaching seal. Order Directing Publication of Summons was made by Roger Foley, 22 July, 1940, and also service on defendant at Akron, Ohio — which was never served.

Decree of Divorce was filed 4 October, 1940, by Roger Foley, District Judge. Then comes Judgment Roll; Praecipe for Default, signed by I. S. Thompson, attorney for plaintiff; then Default Order, signed by the clerk, 4 October, 1940. Then Affidavit of Lillie Roesselet, dated 16 September, 1940, as to plaintiff’s residence from 15 May, 1940, up to and including 26 June, 1940. This was subscribed and sworn to 16 September, 1940, before I. S. Thompson, notary public, attaching seal, attorney for plaintiff, and also testimony of O. B. Williams as to her residence. Then affidavit of nonmilitary service of defendant, filed 4 October, 1940, signed by plaintiff and subscribed and sworn to before I. S. Thompson, notary public, seal attached. This action was numbered 10651.

In North Carolina the law is somewhat drastic, as it should be, in granting an absolute divorce. N. C. Code, supra, sec. 1659, is as follows : “Marriage may be dissolved and the parties thereto divorced from the bonds of matrimony, on application of tbe party injured, made as by law provided, in tbe following cases: 1. If tbe husband or wife commit adultery,” etc.

Section 1659 (a) is as follows: “Marriages may be dissolved and tbe parties thereto divorced from tbe bonds of matrimony on tbe application of either party, if and when tbe husband and wife have lived separate and apart for two years, and the plaintiff in the suit for divorce has resided in tbe State for a period of one year. This section shall be in addition to other acts and not construed as repealing other laws on tbe subject of divorce.” There are other provisions not necessary to set forth.

Section 1661 provides that the affidavit filed with the complaint must state: “That the facts set forth in the complaint are true to the best of affiant’s knowledge and belief, and that the said complaint is not made out of levity or by collusion between husband and wife; and if for divorce, not for the mere purpose of being freed and separated from each other, but in sincerity and truth for the causes mentioned in the complaint. The plaintiff shall also set forth in such affidavit, either that the facts set forth in complaint, as grounds for divorce, have existed to his or her knowledge at least six months prior to the filing of the complaint, and that complainant has been a resident of the State for one year next preceding the filing of the complaint,” etc.

If these allegations above are not shown, the court has no jurisdiction. In Holloman v. Holloman, 127 N. C., 15 (16), it is said: “That requirement is for the good of the public at large, andonot for the convenience or benefit of the parties to the action. The affidavit was intended to prevent bad faith and collusion on the part of the parties to the action, and is an indispensable part of the complaint and application and, if it is wanting, there is no jurisdiction in the court.” Woodruff v. Woodruff, 215 N. C., 685 (689).

In this State a jury must pass on the facts. N. C. Code, supra, sec. 1662, is as follows: “The material facts in every complaint asking for a divorce shall be deemed to be 'denied by the defendant, whether the same shall be actually denied by pleading or not, and no judgment shall be given in favor of the plaintiff in any such complaint until such facts have been found by a jury, and on such trial neither the husband nor wife shall be a competent witness to prove the adultery of the other, nor shall the admissions of either party be received as.evidence to prove such fact.”

In 27 Corpus Juris Secundum, p. 1295, the following is stated: “Where plaintiff only is domiciled in the state of the forum, and has obtained a decree of divorce for a cause recognized as valid in such state, after constructive service of process on defendant, according to the course and practice of the court, a court of another state will recognize the decree when required to do so by a statute of that state; but it is not obliged to do so by the full faith and credit clause of the Federal Constitution except where, as shown infra this section, the matrimonial domicile is in the state where the decree is'rendered. Even though a court of another state is not required by constitution or statute to recognize and give effect to the decree, it may do so as a matter of comity and in some states will do so unless there is some good and valid reason to the contrary; but in a few states the courts require the presence of certain conditions before they will extend recognition; and in other states recognition is refused,” citing many authorities. Pridgen v. Pridgen, 203 N. C., 533.

In 27 C. J. S., sec. 333, at pp. 1296-7, we find: “Where, however, the state of plaintiff’s domicile is not also the matrimonial domicile, a decree of divorce based on substituted service and without personal service on, or appearance by, defendant, although enforceable in the jurisdiction where rendered, is not entitled to obligatory recognition or enforcement in other states or in the District of Columbia in virtue of the full faith and credit clause of the Federal Constitution, although the courts of other states or of the District of Columbia are not prevented from recognizing such decrees on principles of comity if they see fit, and ■Yyill do so, as a rule, unless contrary to public policy or to good morals, but they are not bound to do so, and the courts of some states do not.”

The sole question arising under Article IV, section 1, of the Federal Constitution in this case is whether a divorce granted in the State where the plaintifE alone is domiciled is entitled to full faith and credit when the defendant is only served with process constructively and makes no appearance in the action. This question is answered in the negative by the celebrated case of Haddock v. Haddock, 201 U. S., 562, 26 Sup. Ct., 525, 50 L. Ed., 867, justly recognized as a landmark in the law of foreign divorces.

The divorces obtained by the defendants in actions in Nevada against North Carolina citizens, with service by publication in one case and personal service outside the State in the other, clearly come within the scope of the decision in Haddock v. Haddock, supra, and recognition is not required by the Federal Constitution.

The carefully prepared brief of defendants cites eases in other jurisdictions that differ from the well-settled law in this State. The most recent of our cases is Tyson v. Tyson, 219 N. C., 617 (618-19), which says: “It is fundamental that a state ‘h.as no power to enact laws to operate upon things or persons not within her territory.’ Irby v. Wilson, supra (21 N. C., 568). Notice and hearing are essential to due process of law under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, McGehee, Due Process of Law, 76; Honnold, Supreme Court Law, 847; Scott v. McNeal, 154 U. S., 34 (36), 38 L. Ed., 896 (901); and there is neither notice nor hearing under such fictional service. Pennoyer v. Neff, supra (95 U. S., 714, 24 L. Ed., 565). Whatever the effectiveness of such a proceeding where both parties are within the jurisdiction of the forum, it has no extraterritorial effect upon a resident of another state or the matrimonial status there existing, unless the laws of the state of such residence recognize the proceeding as valid. Here they do not. It has been the law of this State since early times that a divorce decree obtained in a foreign state against a resident of this State, where there has been no personal service within the jurisdiction of the forum, and no answer or appearance or other participation in the proceeding which might be considered its equivalent, is void here. Irby v. Wilson, supra (21 N. C., 568); Arrington v. Arrington, 102 N. C., 491 (512), 9 S. E., 200; Harris v. Harris, 115 N. C., 587, 20 S. E., 187; S. v. Herron, 175 N. C., 754, 94 S. E., 698; Pridgen v. Pridgen, supra (203 N. C., 533, 539).”

The defendants excepted and assigned error to the following portion of the charge of the court — a contention, but correct in principle: “The State contends that these defendants each had a spouse living in the State of North Carolina. That the male defendant has a wife living, and had at the time of the second marriage or purported marriage contract. That the feme defendant, the female defendant, had at that time a living husband in the State of North Carolina. That no service was had upon either of them that in law was binding upon the persons residing in Caldwell County, North Carolina, that is, Mrs. O. B. Williams and Mr. Hendrix.' That neither of these persons, to wit, Mrs. Williams and Mr. Hendrix, personally or by attorney, made any appearance in the courts of Nevada and, therefore, the entire proceedings in the State of Nevada was void. That they went to the State of Nevada not to establish a bona fide residence, but solely for the purpose of taking advantage of the laws of that state and obtain a divorce through fraud upon that court.”

The court charged the law fully, as laid down in Pridgen v. Pridgen, supra, 203 N. C., 533 (539), also S. v. Herron, supra, 175 N. C., 754. In these cases many authorities are cited to sustain the charge in the court below.

-In regard to the postal card, the court charged as follows (which we think correct) : “The defendants offered a card in evidence, and with respect to that card the court charges you, gentlemen of the jury, that the card indicated or agreed to do certain things, but the card within itself, in law, does not constitute a personal appearance. If the husband of Mrs. Hendrix had done what the card purports that he would do if the papers were sent to him, that would have constituted a personal appearance, but by promising to make a personal appearance by attorney does not constitute one. It takes more than that. ... It takes more than a promise to make an appearance or accept service or to constitute service. There must be a carrying out of that promise.” After reciting the facts: “Whereupon, the court charges you as a matter of law that the purported or attempted service of the sheriff of Caldwell County upon the defendant’s wife, Mrs. Williams, of the pleadings and papers to this State from the State of Nevada had no effect in law, because the sheriff has no authority to serve them, and the fact that he did so amounted to nullity, which means nothing. Therefore, she was not brought into the State of Nevada by virtue of the attempted service, and the court so instructs you.”

This Court has held that a bona fide belief in the invalidity of a first marriage is not a defense to a prosecution for bigamy when in fact the marriage was valid and subsisting. S. v. Robbins, 28 N. C., 23, supra. There seems to be no reason why a defendant’s belief that a former marriage has been dissolved when in fact it has not been under the laws of this State should be any more efficacious as a defense. It is submitted, therefore, that the rule established in Irby v. Wilson, 21 N. C., 568, that foreign ex parte divorces will not.be recognized >in this State applies in criminal cases to the same extent that it applies in civil cases.

We think the charge correct from the facts appearing of record. Most of the exceptions and assignments of error are to the charge of the court below, none of them can be sustained from the view of the well-settled law we take in this case. None constitute prejudicial-or reversible error.

The record discloses that defendant 0. B. Williams left his wife, with whom he had been married and lived as husband and wife for some twenty-three years and had reared a family of four children, in Caldwell County, N. C., on I May, 1940. On 26 June, 1940, a little over a month later, a summons and complaint were filed, signed by him, in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada (Otis Baxter Williams vs. Carrie Ora Williams), alleging that he was a resident for more than six weeks immediately preceding the commencement of the action of said county and state. The complaint alleged as a cause for divorce against the defendant “extreme cruelty,” etc. This complaint was filed by I. S. Thompson, attorney for 0. B. Williams, plaintiff. Thompson was also notary public and it 'was subscribed and sworn to before him. Affidavit of publication was subscribed and sworn to before I. S. Thompson, who was attorney and notary public. No personal service on defendant, Carrie Ora Williams, or appearance by her was made. The sheriff of Caldwell County, N. C., delivered a summons and complaint on 18 July, 1940. Decree of divorce signed by Roger Foley, District Judge, signed 26 August, 1940, finds certain facts and grants tbe divorce without a jury finding the facts. On 4 October, 1940, O. B. Williams married Lillie Esther Hendrix in Clark County, Nevada. They returned almost immediately after the marriage and lived together as husband and wife in Avery County, North Carolina, near Lenoir, North Carolina.

The record discloses that defendant Lillie Shaver Hendrix was married to Thomas George Hendrix about twenty years and they lived together as husband and wife until May, 1940. On 26 June, 1940, a little more than a month after leaving her husband, she had a summons issued and filed a complaint against him in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada, entitled Lillie Esther Hendrix vs. Thomas George Hendrix, alleging that she was a resident for more than six weeks immediately preceding the commencement of the action and was a resident of said county and state; alleging cause for divorce that her said husband had “willfully neglected to provide for her,” etc., and “extreme mental cruelty.” This complaint was filed by I. S. Thompson, her attorney. Thompson was also a notary public and it was subscribed and sworn to before him as notary public. Affidavit of publication was subscribed and sworn to before her attorney, and as notary public. No personal service on defendant, George Thomas Hendrix, or appearance by him. The postal card introduced in evidence was no acceptance of service or appearance. The summons was published in a local paper once a week for four weeks. Decree of divorce signed by Roger Foley, District Judge, 4 October, 1940, finds certain facts and grants the divorce without a jury finding the facts. On the same day, 4 October, 1940, she married O. B. Williams in Clark County, Nevada. They came almost immediately after the marriage to North Carolina, and lived together as husband and wife in Avery County, near Lenoir; North Carolina. They employed the same attorney, filed summons and complaint on the same day, and immediately married on the day the decree of divorce was granted Lillie Shaver Hendrix. O. B. Williams had obtained a decree of divorce a short time before, he was represented by the same attorney and the decrees of divorce were granted by the same court. The actions were numbered 10650 and 10651. The record discloses not only no personal service, as required by the decisions of this Court, but all the evidence indicates collusion between the defendants, and bad faith in attempting to secure decrees of divorce, contrary to the laws of this State.

For the reasons given, we see no prejudicial or reversible error in the trial in the court below.

No error.