Attempted TV divorce leads to charge

By: By CHASE PURDY The News Virginian | News Virginian
Published: October 03, 2009

STAUNTON — After hearing about a Verona couple’s appearance on Court TV, an Augusta County judge certified a case of bigamy to grand jury Friday.

Looking at his 2007 marriage license, Horace Alexander Carter Jr., might have thought he divorced his first wife, Melaney Carter, six years earlier.

The grapevine told her otherwise.

“I found out through my sister-in-law. She told me that Horace had remarried,” she said. “And when I called Augusta County, the clerk told me there was an actual marriage.”

The woman’s discovery led to a bigamy charge against Horace Carter.

In 2001, Melaney Carter said she and her husband separated.

They flew to California to appear on Court TV to settle spousal support issues. But because of financial hardship, the couple never followed the proper avenues for a complete divorce, authorities said.

“I had tried the do-it-your-own filing,” Melaney Carter told Judge Lynn Lawson.

“If I could have, I would have, but financially I wasn’t able to do that.”

Lawson certified the charge against Horace Carter.

“I’ll certify the charge,” Lawson said.

“It’s interesting that they don’t require proof of divorce when you get a marriage license. He probably thought he was divorced.”