By Alric Lindsay
Rose Anne Tacata, a Filipino national, appeared in Summary Court today, October 15, 2024, to face charges of Bigamy and making a false statement.
Magistrate Hernandez noted that since the matter was a Category A charge, it would automatically be committed to the Grand Court in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code. In the circumstances, Tacata was bailed to attend Grand Court on November 1.
Regarding bail conditions, Magistrate Hernandez noted the following:
- Passports will be held
- To stay away from all ports (airport and seaport)
If found guilty, Tacata could get five years imprisonment.
Note to readers:
Under section 150 of the Penal Code of the Cayman Islands, Bigamy is an offence.
Section 150 states:
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who, having a husband, wife or civil partner living, goes through a ceremony of marriage or civil partnership whether within the Islands or elsewhere, which is void by reason of its taking place during the life of such husband, wife or civil partner commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for five years.
(2) This section does not extend to any person — (a) whose marriage or civil partnership has been declared void by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(b) who contracts a marriage or civil partnership during the life of a former husband, wife or civil partner if such husband, wife or civil partner, at the time of the subsequent marriage or civil partnership — (i) (ii) has been continually absent from such person for the period of time as is specified in the Presumption of Death (Anna Evans) Act, 2020 [Law 23 of 2020]; and has not been heard of by such person as being alive within that time.
