Double trouble struck in Texas when a husband was charged with bigamy after his third wife discovered he was getting remarried to another woman through a social media post. This shocking revelation came to light as the married couple had never actually divorced.
The husband, Marcus Shorten, had gone through two previous divorces before marrying his third wife, Tammie, in 2012. However, after seven years together, they decided to separate. Despite their separation, the couple still maintained occasional communication and even discussed going through the legal proceedings of a divorce.
However, Tammie was taken aback when she stumbled upon a wedding registry for her husband’s upcoming union with another woman in December. Filled with shock and disbelief, she confronted her husband about the surprising nuptials. Tammie later revealed, “I told him, ‘Before you let the whole world know what you’re doing, make sure your business is right.'”
Ignoring Tammie’s advice, Marcus Shorten went on to marry his new wife on January 27, 2024, at the Fifth Ward Church of Christ. Houston marriage records confirmed this event. The irony of the situation was not lost, as Shorten had previously celebrated his wedding day in 1991, 2000, 2012, and now in 2024.
Feeling betrayed and hurt, Tammie decided to take action and called the police on her husband. She was well aware that being married to two different people at the same time was a crime in the United States. Tammie expressed her emotions, stating, “I knew it was wrong. You not only have destroyed my life, but now you have destroyed somebody else’s life and all the parties that are involved in it.”
Tammie emphasized her disappointment in her husband’s actions and criticized his lack of understanding about divorce despite his multiple marriages. Marcus Shorten has yet to be arrested, even though court records show that he has been charged with bigamy.
In response to the accusations, Shorten denied being married to anyone and claimed to be unaware of the rare felony charge he was facing. However, if found guilty, bigamy carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deceit and the importance of respecting the institution of marriage. It highlights the devastating impact that dishonesty can have on multiple lives, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak and shattered trust.
