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

Janice · 05-25-2005, 12:27 PM

Runaway Bride Indicted for Making Up Story

Woman Claimed Abduction After Disappearing Days Before Wedding

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (May 25) - Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks was indicted Wednesday for allegedly filing a false police report claiming she had been kidnapped, charges 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. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, said Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter. 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.

Wilbanks, 32, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26 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.

Porter has said Wilbanks could face a misdemeanor charge of filing a false report or a felony charge of making false statements for telling authorities she had been kidnapped. Wilbanks' lawyer has said she doesn't think her client should be charged with a crime.

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 Wilbanks' attorney, Lydia Sartain.

Sartain has said she does not think Wilbanks committed a crime in Gwinnett County. Authorities in Albuquerque have already said they will not charge Wilbanks.

''The citizens of the county will be ill-served by an attempted prosecution,'' Sartain said.

Sartain did not immediately return a phone call or e-mail seeking comment on Wednesday.

James"Thunder"Early · 05-25-2005, 12:29 PM

*MIBabe03* · 05-25-2005, 12:29 PM

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hollow · 05-25-2005, 12:42 PM

LOL

Cactus Jack · 05-25-2005, 02:20 PM

LOL

Chelsea · 05-25-2005, 08:19 PM

If she'll flee halfway across the country to avoid a wedding, imagine what she'll do to try to avoid charges.

TJL · 05-25-2005, 08:26 PM

Throw the book at her!

I know I'll sleep safer at night knowing there's one less flighty indecisive chick roaming the streets...

Warm & Fuzzy · 05-25-2005, 09:22 PM

Tsk tsk. I remember reading about this. She fled her future-husband, that's what she did.

Rebel Queen 1980 · 05-25-2005, 09:24 PM

Well I'm glad she got she got what she deserves!

Max Whittaker · 05-25-2005, 09:30 PM

If you through the country into a nervous search, waste tax money, give your fiancé a conniption fit and lie to the FBI, then jail is the logical next step.

SBTB Geek · 05-25-2005, 09:33 PM

Good.

dawsongirl · 05-25-2005, 09:41 PM

Bitch deserves it. If they didn't press charges, then people would be doing this all over and getting away with it. Poor little rich girl. I'm crying for ya.

TripperFan · 05-25-2005, 11:46 PM

I understand that when she was told that she would be indited, her eyes bugged out of her head.......oh sorry - that was her usual look.

And as Leno said, what's with the statement, "At some point, you just can't lie to police." - what - like you CAN to a certain point, but after that its not good?! * shakes head *

James"Thunder"Early · 05-25-2005, 11:52 PM

Her bugged eyed expression alone is a felony

Janice · 06-02-2005, 11:19 AM

Runaway Bride Sentenced to Probation

Wilbanks Weeps in Court as She Apologizies for Actions

Jennifer Wilbanks apologized during a tearful court appearance on Thursday.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - With her once-jilted fiance at her side, runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony charge and wept as she 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 as she pleaded to a charge of making a false statement.

She was sentenced to two years of probation and 120 hours of community service. The judge also ordered her to continue mental health treatment and pay the sheriff's office $2,550.

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

Wilbanks, whose disappearance before her wedding in April created a nationwide sensation, was wearing a black outfit and running shoes as she arrived at the Gwinnett County courthouse Thursday to make her plea. Her fiance John Mason, whom she was to have married April 30 in a lavish ceremony, was by her side.

Wilbanks was indicted last week on charges of making a false statement and making a false police report. She could have faced up to six years in prison and $11,000 in fines if convicted of both charges. The misdemeanor false report charge was dropped as part of her plea deal.

Wilbanks also could also have been ordered to reimburse authorities for the cost of the search, which has been tallied at more than $50,000. She's already agreed to pay part of the tab: On Tuesday, she said she would pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth, Ga., to help offset 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.''

Wilbanks, a nurse, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26, four days before she was to have been married at a high-profile ceremony with 600 guests and 28 attendants. She took a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, N.M.

She initially claimed she was abducted and sexually assaulted, but later recanted and said she fled because of unspecified personal issues days before the wedding. The false statement charge under which she was sentenced stemmed from a phone call she made relaying the abduction and assault allegations from New Mexico to Georgia.

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

05-25-2005, 12:27 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Runaway Bride Indicted for Making Up Story Runaway Bride Indicted for Making Up Story Woman Claimed Abduction After Disappearing Days Before Wedding LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (May 25) - Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks was indicted Wednesday for allegedly filing a false police report claiming she had been kidnapped, charges 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. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, said Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter. 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. Wilbanks, 32, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26 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. Porter has said Wilbanks could face a misdemeanor charge of filing a false report or a felony charge of making false statements for telling authorities she had been kidnapped. Wilbanks' lawyer has said she doesn't think her client should be charged with a crime. 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 Wilbanks' attorney, Lydia Sartain. Sartain has said she does not think Wilbanks committed a crime in Gwinnett County. Authorities in Albuquerque have already said they will not charge Wilbanks. ''The citizens of the county will be ill-served by an attempted prosecution,'' Sartain said. Sartain did not immediately return a phone call or e-mail seeking comment on Wednesday.

05-25-2005, 12:29 PM	#2
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088
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05-25-2005, 12:29 PM	#3
MIBabe03 Loving Swingtown! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 4,646	YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	__________________ Laura and Mario November 10, 2006

05-25-2005, 02:20 PM	#5
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	LOL
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05-25-2005, 08:19 PM	#6
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	If she'll flee halfway across the country to avoid a wedding, imagine what she'll do to try to avoid charges.
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

05-25-2005, 12:42 PM	#4
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	LOL

05-25-2005, 08:26 PM	#7
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Throw the book at her! I know I'll sleep safer at night knowing there's one less flighty indecisive chick roaming the streets...
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-25-2005, 09:22 PM	#8
Warm & Fuzzy Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 02, 2001 Posts: 10,254	Tsk tsk. I remember reading about this. She fled her future-husband, that's what she did.
	__________________ "To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world." ~Unknown

05-25-2005, 09:24 PM	#9
Rebel Queen 1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 05, 2002 Location: Watching Classic Sitcoms 24/7.... Posts: 1,509	Well I'm glad she got she got what she deserves!

05-25-2005, 09:30 PM	#10
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	If you through the country into a nervous search, waste tax money, give your fiancé a conniption fit and lie to the FBI, then jail is the logical next step.
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

05-25-2005, 09:33 PM	#11
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	Good.

05-25-2005, 09:41 PM	#12
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Bitch deserves it. If they didn't press charges, then people would be doing this all over and getting away with it. Poor little rich girl. I'm crying for ya.

05-25-2005, 11:46 PM	#13
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I understand that when she was told that she would be indited, her eyes bugged out of her head.......oh sorry - that was her usual look. And as Leno said, what's with the statement, "At some point, you just can't lie to police." - what - like you CAN to a certain point, but after that its not good?! * shakes head *
	__________________ 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

05-25-2005, 11:52 PM	#14
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	Her bugged eyed expression alone is a felony

06-02-2005, 11:19 AM	#15
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Runaway Bride Sentenced to Probation Wilbanks Weeps in Court as She Apologizies for Actions Jennifer Wilbanks apologized during a tearful court appearance on Thursday. LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - With her once-jilted fiance at her side, runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony charge and wept as she 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 as she pleaded to a charge of making a false statement. She was sentenced to two years of probation and 120 hours of community service. The judge also ordered her to continue mental health treatment and pay the sheriff's office $2,550. If she successfully completes her probation, the felony will be erased from her record, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said. Wilbanks, whose disappearance before her wedding in April created a nationwide sensation, was wearing a black outfit and running shoes as she arrived at the Gwinnett County courthouse Thursday to make her plea. Her fiance John Mason, whom she was to have married April 30 in a lavish ceremony, was by her side. Wilbanks was indicted last week on charges of making a false statement and making a false police report. She could have faced up to six years in prison and $11,000 in fines if convicted of both charges. The misdemeanor false report charge was dropped as part of her plea deal. Wilbanks also could also have been ordered to reimburse authorities for the cost of the search, which has been tallied at more than $50,000. She's already agreed to pay part of the tab: On Tuesday, she said she would pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth, Ga., to help offset 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.'' Wilbanks, a nurse, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26, four days before she was to have been married at a high-profile ceremony with 600 guests and 28 attendants. She took a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, N.M. She initially claimed she was abducted and sexually assaulted, but later recanted and said she fled because of unspecified personal issues days before the wedding. The false statement charge under which she was sentenced stemmed from a phone call she made relaying the abduction and assault allegations from New Mexico to Georgia. Family members say she has been receiving psychiatric treatment at an unspecified facility.