It made the national news because we don't have real reporters in the national news. They take any minor misfortune they can find, and highlight it into a greek tragedy. And people are talking about prosecuting her? For what? Just because everyone jumped the gun and ended up looking stupid on TV, don't take it out on her...
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Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, when you DO criticize them, you are a mile away, and you have their shoes...
If you choose any truth and follow it blindly, it becomes a falsehood, and you, a fanatic.
quote: Originally posted by: Mindcrime "It made the national news because we don't have real reporters in the national news. They take any minor misfortune they can find, and highlight it into a greek tragedy. And people are talking about prosecuting her? For what? Just because everyone jumped the gun and ended up looking stupid on TV, don't take it out on her..."
Very true the news took it up up and away.....The only thing is when she called her family she sould have left out the kidnapping thing....Its time for the news and us to let it go..Good call mind crime
Maybe we need more provocative topics.... heh heh heh
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Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, when you DO criticize them, you are a mile away, and you have their shoes...
If you choose any truth and follow it blindly, it becomes a falsehood, and you, a fanatic.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia (CNN) -- Jennifer Wilbanks, the Georgia woman who fled the state and faked her own kidnapping and sexual assault before her wedding, was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury, the Gwinnett County district attorney said.
Wilbanks, 32, is charged with one count of making false statements, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and one count of making a false report of a crime, a misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail, District Attorney Danny Porter said.
"I think it's appropriate," he said at a news conference. "If there's a message, [it's] that at some point, you just can't lie to the police."
"The next step in the process would be the issuance of the bench warrant for her arrest," Porter said. "I feel confident that arrangements can be made for her to turn herself in, and then we will take the next step from there."
The medical assistant from the Atlanta suburb of Duluth, had been scheduled to marry in April at a lavishly planned wedding including 600 guests and 28 attendants. Just days before the ceremony, she disappeared, prompting a massive, three-day search that local authorities said cost thousands of dollars.
Eventually Wilbanks called authorities from a pay phone in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and said two people had abducted her, then recanted her story during questioning by the FBI and police.
Albuquerque police have said they will not file charges.
Duluth Mayor Shirley Lasseter said the jurors surprised her.
"I think I was a little stunned they went for both the felony as well as the misdemeanor," Lasseter said. "But we don't underestimate the grand jury. They are very thorough and do what they believe is to be justice."
Local authorities are negotiating a possible settlement with Wilbanks' attorneys over the cost of the search for her. The mayor said officials are asking for $43,000. Wilbanks' attorneys "have countered back with $13,000 plus, which actually covers the overtime hours and out-of-pocket expense for food and clothing -- or food and gas and things like that," Lasseter said.
Porter said Wilbanks would likely appear in court within 30 days. He said he didn't know her location.
Wilbanks has voluntarily entered "a highly regarded, inpatient treatment program ... to address physical and mental issues," according to a statement released by her church's public relations firm shortly after she returned to Georgia.
Porter said he had not spoken with Wilbanks but had been in contact with her attorney, Lydia Sartain. Sartain is out of town until next week and would not be issuing a statement, her office said. She previously has said she does not believe Wilbanks committed a crime, but restitution for the expense her disappearance caused will be forthcoming.
On April 26, Wilbanks failed to return to a home she shared with her fiance, John Mason, after telling him she was going for an evening jog.
On April 30, which was to have been her wedding day, Wilbanks called police and then her fiance from an Albuquerque convenience store.
A copy of an Albuquerque police report says she initially told police and FBI agents she had been abducted and sexually assaulted before being released at the store.
When an FBI agent told her that her story did not seem credible, "Jennifer admitted she had lied about the kidnapping and the sexual assault," the report said. "She had left Georgia because of the pressures of her wedding. The list of things she needed to get done and no time to do it made her feel overwhelmed."
Wilbanks told officers that before going jogging she had called a taxi, which took her to a Greyhound bus terminal. She went by bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, she said.
Wilbanks has issued a public apology through her family's pastor. Although the statement made no mention of her plans to marry Mason, both of them separately have said the marriage is still on.
"Later recantation doesn't excuse you from the criminal behavior, under Georgia law," Porter said. "That would be like stealing something and then putting it back. It doesn't help you to say, 'Oh, I put it back.'"
The charges were based on evidence presented to the grand jury, which included a statement Wilbanks made to Duluth Police Chief Randy Belcher by telephone from New Mexico, Porter said.
That statement was Wilbanks' claim that she had been abducted, as well as descriptions of the perpetrators, Porter said. Belcher, who was near Mason's home when Wilbanks called him, drove to the home and got on the line during the call, which Porter said was recorded.
Both Porter and Lasseter were asked whether they felt any sympathy for Wilbanks. The mayor said she had "mixed emotions. I think most of the world now would like to see this over, but I also think they know that for every behavior, there's going to be some type of justification."
She said she hoped Wilbanks would avoid serving any time in jail.
Porter said his feelings had no role in the case. "I don't think sympathy plays into the decisions that I make," Porter said. "On a personal level, I'm glad we're not investigating a murder-kidnapping. I'm glad she's home. I'm aware of some of the issues that are involved in this. But in terms of making the decision, I have to follow
Whoa! Hold your horses JSpeer. That's not that assissi Riccuti...it's me (JH) when I walked from Albany to the gates of CWM. Shortly thereafter I quit the Residents for Responsible Government for cause. He used that when I used NukedLou...LOL! I guess I got him then too!!
The barrel is way too small for Lou's inflated head!
Scott, any chance you can delete that one? Thanks!
Anyway, I think the whole Wilbanks thing was staged so that she and her boyfriend can get rich on the book and movie rights. Then all the pinheads who kept close tabs on "the runaway bride" in the so-called news media, can regale in the made-for-TV movie.
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let the sun beat down upon my face -
And stars to fill my dreams
It's Halloween time and trick and treat traditions abound.
But it is no treat for Jim Hufnagel who just completed a 350 mile walk from the Hudson River to the gates of CWM -- in a skeleton suit and toxic waste barrel. "I had to do something to get people along the way to understand the seriousness of transporting Hudson River PCBs through their neighborhoods," said Hufnagel.
Volunteers from churches and concerned organizations along routes 5 & 20, the likely truck route, stepped forward to help Jim's journey, with lodging, food, and an occasional lift. RRG helped with the organization and press coverage.... (did he walk or ride.?)
EXCEPT THEY WERE NEVER DESTINED TO COME HERE....according to previous posts!
FULLY, that Residents for Responsible Government (yeah-sure) RRG group in Lewiston Youngsberg knew this according to those posts and that this was purely a diversionary measure.
Why was that one fellow involved with all of this? And now why here starting crap with the REAL Enviro- Cats ???
This IS one very odd situation apparently with concerted dark efforts!
Here's a little more about the Barrel subject and Barrel Dude...one of them anyway.
Make certain you read the final name mentioned in this snippet!
SO are Buffalo caporate and public officials involved in this???
HOLY CheeETTT! WHO IS THAT GUY ?? READ the final name!! S.P.O.O.K.Y.
http://rochesterenvironment.com/june_july_2002.htm 06/18/02 -- Event: What: A Local Perspective on a National Problem - Public Meeting on Environmental Justice concerns in Lewiston / Porter area - Featuring a keynote address by Lois Gibbs, Executive Director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice and Love Canal leader. When: This Saturday - June 22nd - 10am-Noon. Where: Lewiston-Porter Senior High School, 4061 Creek Rd, Youngstown, NY.
Here's some more information:
Residents for Responsible Government ( www.rrg-wny.org) was formed last year to challenge the Town of Porter's decision to allow CWM ( ChemWasteMan) to expansion.
They changed existing zoning laws to accomodate a larger landfill and appear to be rolling out the red carpet for 2.65 million cu yds of Hudson River PCB dredgings. ( The Mother of all cleanups!) RRG is involved in a lawsuit which seeks to overturn the Porter Board's action and it is scheduled to be heard in NYS Supreme Court the first week in July.
__WHY DID they (rrg-wny) sue AFTER the fact???
We have over 30 municipalities in Niagara County supporting the cause and just this weekErie County Exec Joel Giambrasigned on board!