Texas judge gives man a choice: get married or go to jail

An East Texas man who pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend has been sentenced to life – in matrimony.
At the sentencing hearing, Smith County Court-at-Law Judge Randall Rogersasked Bundy whether Jaynes was “worth it” and whether the couple were married, according to transcripts obtained by KLTV.
“[The ex-boyfriend] had been saying disrespectful things about Elizabeth, so I challenged him to a fight”, Bundy told the judge of why the fight happened, according to KLTV. He could spend 15 days in jail or marry Jaynes.
In addition, his sentence also included writing Bible verses and getting counseling. Bundy and Jaynes say that they plan to have a bigger wedding in the future when they can save enough money.
Bundy is a Steelers fan and had dreamed of wearing a black tuxedo with a yellow lining, but since the wedding had to take place so soon, he and Jaynes ditched their elaborate plans.
The bride s father was angry at the judge for pressuring the pair into marriage and was looking into whether this was judicial misconduct, he told KLTV.
The couple had less than 30 days to get married and scrambled to prepare. The ex-boyfriend later filed assault charges, although he didn’t require medical attention.
He continued: “I was raised with four sisters and if any man was talking to a woman like that, I’d probably do the same thing”.
“My face was so red, people behind me were laughing”, she said.
The judge was not available for a comment.
“I used to watch Say Yes to the Dress and all those shows and all the dresses and think about what kind of dress I would have”, said Jaynes.
According to Jaynes, who was in the courtroom at the time, the judge then embarrassed her by making her stand up. “They are young and they didn’t know that they had any other options”, he said.
So the couple got married in front of the justice of the peace.
The ceremony was rushed, with Bundy expressing his disappointment at his family members not being able to attend.
“My father didn’t get to go, and that really bothers me”, Bundy said. “I would have liked a spring wedding when it’s not too hot and not too cold”. Noticeably absent were Bundy’s dad and sisters.
“To say you’re not going to be criminally punished if you get married is way out of left field”, said attorney Blake Bailey.

Bundy agreed to the judge’s proposal, and the couple duly applied for a marriage license.