Judge orders man to marry girlfriend

A man has been ordered to marry his girlfriend or face going to jail.

Josten Bundy, of Tyler, Texas, was arrested after punching his girlfriend’s ex-partner and was placed on probation.

As part of the condition of his probation, Bundy was given the ultimatum by Smith County Judge Randall Rogers.

The couple, in Smith County, East Texas, were present in court for the order from Judge Randall Roberts – which was an alternative to 15 days in jail.

Speaking about the events that led up to the fight, 20 year-old Bundy told KLTV: "[The ex-boyfriend] had been saying disrespectful things about Elizabeth, so I challenged him to a fight. He stepped in and I felt like it was on and I hit him in the jaw twice."

It means Bundy has to marry within 30 days, otherwise he would be jailed.

His girlfriend, Elizabeth Jaynes, told KLTV that she was embarrassed by the proposal.

She said: "My face was so red, people behind me were laughing.”

Judge Rogers, who declined to comment on the case, reportedly asked Bundy “Is she worth it?” before handing down the judgement.

Jaynes added: "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.
“I would have liked a spring wedding when it’s not too hot and not too cold.”

Her father said that he was angry about the order.

The pair booked an appointment with the justice of the peace to get married.