State v. Goonan

The statutory provisions here involved (P. L., c. 386, ss. 5, 6) are as follows:

“5. Bigamy, etc. If any person having a husband or wife alive shall marry or cohabit with any other person, such person so marrying or cohabiting shall, except in the cases specified in the following section, be punished as in case of adultery.

“6. Exception. The provisions of the preceding section shall not extend to any person whose husband or wife shall be absent, and shall not have been heard of or from for the space of three years together, or who shall be reported and generally believed to be dead, nor to any…