Runaway Bride Indicted for Making Up Story - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Bobby F. · 06-02-2005, 11:34 AM

I'm gald she's being held responsible. I thought for sure all of these different support groups would be lining up saying how she was mistreated as a child and shouldn't be held responsible for her actions.

Miss Golden · 06-02-2005, 12:26 PM

Jennifer Wilbanks, left, leaves the courthouse where she pleaded no contest to making a false statement. With her is her attorney, Lydia Sartain.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - With her once-jilted fiance at her side, runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony charge and was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine.

“I’m truly sorry for my actions and I just want to thank Gwinnett County and the city of Duluth,” a crying Wilbanks told the judge.

The Associated Press initially incorrectly reported that she had pleaded not guilty.

The felony charge of making a false statement carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

But the judge sentenced Wilbanks to two years of probation and 120 hours of community service. He also ordered her to continue mental health treatment and pay the sheriff’s office $2,550.

Felony could be erased

If she successfully completes her probation, the felony will be erased from her record, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said.

• Wilbanks pleads no contest

June 2: "Runaway bride" Jennifer Wilbanks told a court she was sorry for fabricating a story about being abducted. She was given probation and ordered to do community service and pay a fine.

MSNBC

Wilbanks was accused of telling police a false story about being kidnapped and sexually assaulted. She was indicted last week on charges of making a false statement and making a false police report. The misdemeanor false report charge was dropped as part of a deal that led to her plead no contest.

She could have faced up to six years in prison if convicted of both charges, as well as $11,000 in fines. She could also have been ordered to reimburse authorities for more of the search cost, which has been tallied at more than $50,000.

Wilbanks, a nurse, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26 and took a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, N.M. She and Mason were to have been married in a lavish ceremony April 30.

She initially claimed she was abducted but later recanted and said she fled because of unspecified personal issues days before the high-profile wedding.

Family members have said she has been receiving psychiatric treatment at an unspecified facility.

On Tuesday, Wilbanks agreed to pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth, Ga., to help pay for the overtime costs the city incurred searching for her.

“She’s done everything that we would ask of her,” Wilbanks’ attorney Lydia Sartain, said Thursday morning before sentencing. “She has accepted responsibility.”

TripperFan · 06-02-2005, 01:08 PM

God she seems like such a baby!! Teddy bears from the cops and now holding onto her attorney's arm???

Some idiot guy tried pulling the same thing up here (in Brampton) last week. He took off just before his wedding for a couple of days and is being charged with mischief since they were starting to organize search parties.

What's with all the drama with cold feet these days - just say yes or no - you do or you don't and be an adult about it!

rusyd · 06-02-2005, 02:14 PM

I think they went to light on her. She deserves the book thrown at her.

Seinatra · 06-02-2005, 02:20 PM

I think anyone has the right to leave town for whatever reason they want and not tell anyone. It should not be a crime. When she made the call and claimed she was kidnapped that was a crime. She may be a bad person for running out and not telling anyone, but why should that be a criminal offense?

By the way, her eyes look fine in that photo.

Brent88 · 06-02-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinatra

I think anyone has the right to leave town for whatever reason they want and not tell anyone. It should not be a crime. When she made the call and claimed she was kidnapped that was a crime. She may be a bad person for running out and not telling anyone, but why should that be a criminal offense?

By the way, her eyes look fine in that photo.

Because thousands of people were looking for her... afraid she had been kidnapped or worse, raped and murdered by some predator? This was a local story here. The police focused all their attention on her *** when they could have been focusing on someone in real danger.

Probation is not enough either.

TripperFan · 06-02-2005, 02:41 PM

I think even taking off without telling anyone on purpose is considered a crime because their loved ones are obviously going to contact police and file a missing persons report, therefore starting a search which costs taxpayer's money.

That's why this Brampton guy got charged with mischief at least - he didn't claim he was kidnapped, but it still prompted a police investigation.

Brent88 · 06-02-2005, 10:16 PM

What does she think court is??? Training to run away again?

Mr. Television · 06-02-2005, 10:29 PM

As soon as it hit the news she should have said something. It was national so she had no excuse.

Janice · 06-02-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinatra

She may be a bad person for running out and not telling anyone, but why should that be a criminal offense?

That wasn't her criminal offense. Filing false police reports were the charges.

Seinatra · 06-02-2005, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

That wasn't her criminal offense. Filing false police reports were the charges.

That I agree with. But the tone of the posts in here was that she should be put in jail for leaving town without telling anyone. I realize that there was a big search for her, but I don't think that was a crime on her part. Basically I don't view this as a police state - so if she wants to skip town without telling anyone, so be it. I don't think it is safe to assume she knew this would turn into a national saga.

Seinatra · 06-02-2005, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

As soon as it hit the news she should have said something. It was national so she had no excuse.

Did she know that it was on the news? I am not sure if that came out or not.

Janice · 06-02-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinatra

That I agree with. But the tone of the posts in here was that she should be put in jail for leaving town without telling anyone. I realize that there was a big search for her, but I don't think that was a crime on her part. Basically I don't view this as a police state - so if she wants to skip town without telling anyone, so be it. I don't think it is safe to assume she knew this would turn into a national saga.

I think that's an extremely safe assumption. A woman from an affluent family goes out jogging days before her wedding and disappears...that's huge news.
I think her punishment fit her crime. Probation, community service and restitution (partial anyway) for her search costs.

Mr. Television · 06-02-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinatra

Did she know that it was on the news? I am not sure if that came out or not.

Ii don't know but she would have to be really isolated not to see it. Everytime I turned on the TV they were talking about her.

MsOrange · 06-02-2005, 11:02 PM

blah... i'm tired of hearing about her

06-02-2005, 01:08 PM	#18
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	God she seems like such a baby!! Teddy bears from the cops and now holding onto her attorney's arm??? Some idiot guy tried pulling the same thing up here (in Brampton) last week. He took off just before his wedding for a couple of days and is being charged with mischief since they were starting to organize search parties. What's with all the drama with cold feet these days - just say yes or no - you do or you don't and be an adult about it!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

06-02-2005, 10:29 PM	#24
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	As soon as it hit the news she should have said something. It was national so she had no excuse.
	__________________ Sonny

06-02-2005, 11:34 AM	#16
Bobby F. Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 30, 2004 Posts: 3,818	I'm gald she's being held responsible. I thought for sure all of these different support groups would be lining up saying how she was mistreated as a child and shouldn't be held responsible for her actions.

06-02-2005, 12:26 PM	#17
Miss Golden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 1,231	Jennifer Wilbanks, left, leaves the courthouse where she pleaded no contest to making a false statement. With her is her attorney, Lydia Sartain. LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - With her once-jilted fiance at her side, runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony charge and was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine. “I’m truly sorry for my actions and I just want to thank Gwinnett County and the city of Duluth,” a crying Wilbanks told the judge. The Associated Press initially incorrectly reported that she had pleaded not guilty. The felony charge of making a false statement carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison. But the judge sentenced Wilbanks to two years of probation and 120 hours of community service. He also ordered her to continue mental health treatment and pay the sheriff’s office $2,550. Felony could be erased If she successfully completes her probation, the felony will be erased from her record, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said. • Wilbanks pleads no contest June 2: "Runaway bride" Jennifer Wilbanks told a court she was sorry for fabricating a story about being abducted. She was given probation and ordered to do community service and pay a fine. MSNBC Wilbanks was accused of telling police a false story about being kidnapped and sexually assaulted. She was indicted last week on charges of making a false statement and making a false police report. The misdemeanor false report charge was dropped as part of a deal that led to her plead no contest. She could have faced up to six years in prison if convicted of both charges, as well as $11,000 in fines. She could also have been ordered to reimburse authorities for more of the search cost, which has been tallied at more than $50,000. Wilbanks, a nurse, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26 and took a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, N.M. She and Mason were to have been married in a lavish ceremony April 30. She initially claimed she was abducted but later recanted and said she fled because of unspecified personal issues days before the high-profile wedding. Family members have said she has been receiving psychiatric treatment at an unspecified facility. On Tuesday, Wilbanks agreed to pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth, Ga., to help pay for the overtime costs the city incurred searching for her. “She’s done everything that we would ask of her,” Wilbanks’ attorney Lydia Sartain, said Thursday morning before sentencing. “She has accepted responsibility.”

06-02-2005, 02:14 PM	#19
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	I think they went to light on her. She deserves the book thrown at her.

06-02-2005, 02:20 PM	#20
Seinatra Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,840	I think anyone has the right to leave town for whatever reason they want and not tell anyone. It should not be a crime. When she made the call and claimed she was kidnapped that was a crime. She may be a bad person for running out and not telling anyone, but why should that be a criminal offense? By the way, her eyes look fine in that photo.

06-02-2005, 02:41 PM	#22
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I think even taking off without telling anyone on purpose is considered a crime because their loved ones are obviously going to contact police and file a missing persons report, therefore starting a search which costs taxpayer's money. That's why this Brampton guy got charged with mischief at least - he didn't claim he was kidnapped, but it still prompted a police investigation.

06-02-2005, 10:16 PM	#23
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	What does she think court is??? Training to run away again?

06-02-2005, 11:02 PM	#30
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	blah... i'm tired of hearing about her