Portsmouth man convicted of bigamy, perjury

VIRGINIA BEACH

Joey Demeral Jernigan and his bride exchanged vows at the Virginia Beach courthouse in July 2008.

The 31-year-old Portsmouth man returned there Monday - this time to face bigamy and perjury charges stemming from the marriage.

Jernigan was still married to his first wife of seven years when he wed in 2008 for a second time, according to court testimony.

Circuit Court Judge Patricia L. West convicted Jernigan of bigamy and perjury following a brief trial in which both wives testified Monday. He faces up to 10 years on each of the charges when he is sentenced Oct. 4.

Jernigan's first marriage took place in Ohio. The couple moved to Hampton Roads in 2004 but soon separated; Jernigan stayed here and his wife moved back to Ohio with their two children, according to testimony.

Meanwhile, Jernigan met the woman who would become his second wife. She testified Monday that she believed he had never been married. It was only after their 2008 union that she learned otherwise and reported him to police, she testified.

An investigation followed, and Jernigan ultimately admitted to bigamy, a detective testified. He also lied on his marriage application, stating his second wife was actually his first, according to testimony.

Jernigan's attorney, public defender Taite Westendorf, said prosecutors did not prove the 2001 marriage took place. "A valid marriage certificate proves there was a marriage," he said, and none was offered in court.

A database of South Hampton Roads court records shows bigamy is a rare charge, with only a handful of defendants in recent years.

Kristin Davis, (757) 222-5131, kristin.davis@pilotonline.com