Runaway Bride charged with a felony & misdemeanor

Fash · Post by **Fash** » May 25, 2005, 1:19 pm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 85_pf.html

The Washington Post wrote: By DANIEL YEE
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 25, 2005; 11:42 AM

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks was indicted Wednesday on charges that she lied to police about being kidnapped, two counts that could mean up to six years in prison.

A grand jury indicted the 32-year-old woman on one count of making a false police report, a misdemeanor, and one count of false statement, a felony, said Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter.

The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, he said. The other count carries a penalty of up to a year.

"We believe this is a reasonable next step in the case. We believe the grand jury made the right decision," Porter said.

"At some point you just can't lie to the police," he said. A bench warrant will be issued for Wilbanks' arrest within the next few days, he added. No court date has been set.

This indictment does not rule out a possible plea agreement to lesser charges, Porter said. Authorities had said they were talking to the Wilbanks family about a possible deal.

Wilbanks' attorney, Lydia Sartain, has said she does not think Wilbanks committed a crime in Gwinnett County. Authorities in Albuquerque had said they would not charge Wilbanks.

"The citizens of the county will be ill-served by an attempted prosecution," Sartain said before Wednesday's charges were announced. She did not return a phone call seeking further comment Wednesday morning.

Wilbanks disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26, days before her planned wedding, after claiming that she was going for a jog.

While Georgia authorities looked for her, the woman traveled to Las Vegas by bus and then to Albuquerque, N.M. There, she called authorities with a story about having been abducted and sexually assaulted.

But under questioning, she recanted and said she fled Georgia because of unspecified personal issues. She returned to Georgia on April 30, the day she was to have been married in a lavish ceremony with 600 guests.

Her disappearance prompted a massive search and nationwide publicity. City, county and state officials spent about $50,000 looking for her.

Several state and county agencies already said they will not ask her to reimburse them for a total of $10,000 spent in additional search costs. But the city of Duluth still is seeking repayment of about $40,000 and Mayor Shirley Lassetter said her city attorney has been in negotiations with Sartain.

crazy-eyed bitch....

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » May 25, 2005, 1:53 pm

So she made a mistake and let it go on way way too long. Seems to me like the authorities are trying to make some sort of example out of her.

Just work with her to establish a reasonable repayment plan for the amount that it cost for the search and let everyone get on with their lives.

Ennia · Post by **Ennia** » May 25, 2005, 1:58 pm

they made an example out of Martha Stewart, why not Jennifer Wilbanks?

running away is a little different than running away and calling police that someone kidnapped you. I doubt she will go to jail, but this will serve as a lesson to others

masteen · Post by **masteen** » May 25, 2005, 3:57 pm

"IT WASN'T ME! IT WAS THE ONE-ARMED MAN!!!"

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » May 25, 2005, 4:44 pm

They kind of have to make an example of her now, the whole thing is so high-profile. Don't lie to the po-po.

VariaVespasa · Post by **VariaVespasa** » May 25, 2005, 9:12 pm

She's an adult, its not unreasonable to expect her to behave like an adult, and zap her if she doesnt. She is responsible for her behaviour. Or irresponsible, as the case may be...

It seems that she indulged in some shoplifting in her mid-20's also, long after she should have grown out of youthful pranks or rebellion, so it seems that her personal standards are.... lax... A short sharp shock might well be in order. I dunno about 6 years, but 3 months and 10-15k could do the trick.

*Hugs*
Varia

Nilaman · Post by **Nilaman** » May 25, 2005, 9:30 pm

About fucking time.

I hope they throw the book at her.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » May 25, 2005, 10:54 pm

Truant · Post by **Truant** » May 26, 2005, 7:43 am

Her acts seriously hindered national security with all the authorities that were involved with her search.

They should add treason to the list.

It's the newest trend. Treason is the new black.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 26, 2005, 11:00 am

Ok, I don't understand how making a false statement is worse than a false police report. It seems like it should be the other way around.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » May 26, 2005, 1:47 pm

because when you give statement, you take oath that it is correct.

Sabek · Post by **Sabek** » May 26, 2005, 1:51 pm

As Truant said, I would imagine a false statment is nearing the perjury area.

Sylvos · Post by **Sylvos** » May 26, 2005, 2:33 pm

stupid julia roberts, what was she thinking?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » May 26, 2005, 3:41 pm

It just gets me that these media idiots latch on to bad movie titles starring bad actors.

Ennia · Post by **Ennia** » May 27, 2005, 12:13 am

is there already a movie in the works about it ???

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » May 27, 2005, 1:56 am

I was referring to the existing movie, 'runaway bride', starring that idiot Julia Roberts.

But who knows, it has bad hollywood movie script written all over it, so maybe a sequel?

Fash · Post by **Fash** » May 27, 2005, 2:03 am

with such a boring plot, this would be straight to TV like 'riding the bus with my sister'... and just as retarded.

Ennia · Post by **Ennia** » May 27, 2005, 4:13 pm

made for TV movies have their fanbase too, what else all the people without cable or sattelite are suppose to look forward to?
I think it may be the same clientelle that buys all the tabloid papers. But they really might be interested in a runnaway bride or the Laci Petersen story or the unauthorized (OMG!!! scandalous) Donald Trump bio