You said -- "I am suprised at how eager people are to believe this nonsense for any reason."
So, basically you're saying that they're liars and they never did consider these things. They only made it up after the fact (or rather the wife did) -- and thus there is no truth to it...
If that's what you're saying -- it sounds like you're saying that *simply* because you cannot accept that someone would have thought that or acted like that *before the fact*. So, "testimony" doesn't mean anything to you. All that matters is whether you can believe it or not.
Actually it's not too hard for me to believe that this is *true testimony* of the wife -- about her and her husband. Why is it that hard to believe. Let's say (for sake of discussion) that they were misled in their own emotions and that it couldn't possibly be "true". That being the case -- they *still wouldn't be lying* (in their testimony to this "fact") -- but only that they believed something that wasn't actually true (in your mind, at least).
But, you -- on the other hand -- have to say that they *have to be lying* and that's the only option.
I'm afraid you've got a very limited view of the whole thing -- no matter whether you believe such a thing is true or not.
Regards,
Star Traveler