He faces thousands of dollars in fines for being married to 2 different women, under 2 different names. Edermillo Javier Azebedo also known as Javier Garcia Edelmiro appeared in court today to answer the charge of Bigamy.
Azebedo is accused of marrying Lesli Martinez. While knowingly being married to Anastacia Garcia. Justice Candice Nanton accepted his guilty plea, and he entered into a plea agreement with the crown.
He claimed that he was unaware that he was committing a crime.
His attorney, OJ Ellington, explained how serious the outcome of today's case could have been, resulting in years of imprisonment had his client chosen not to pay the fines.
His attorney OJ Ellington explained how serious the outcome of today's case could have been, resulting to years imprisonment had his client chose to not pay the fines.
OJ Elrington, Attorney at law
"My client was charged with bigamy a few months ago and after having discussed the matter considering the evidence that was before the court and the likelihood of conviction on the matter we decided that it was in his best interest at the earliest convenience to plea guilty to the offense of bigamy. Of course bigamy is an offense which carries up to 7 years imprisonment and so we opted to utilize the key agreement act which allows us to negotiate with the prosecution to come to agreement as to what would be the sentence in this matter."
"Yeah he did not know that it was an offense to marry twice, so he actually accepted the fine of a $1000 and the compensation for the virtual complainant of $1000. So the law for those who don't know in Belize is that you can have 2 sweethearts, you can have a wife and a sweetheart, but what you cannot have is 2 wives; that is the law."
