Hostage 'Bonded' With Captor

CBS News ^ | March 14, 2005

[EveningStar]

The woman who was held hostage in her apartment by the suspect in Atlanta's courthouse slayings came forward to give an account of her ordeal, saying he let her go after they bonded while discussing God, family, pancakes and the massive manhunt going on outside her apartment.

[processing please hold]

That's the same thing I've been saying on another thread like this. The creep murdered 4 people and she acts like she has the hot's for him.

It's disgusting. I feel sorry for the families of the murdered victims, not this creep.

[Blessed]

Her daughter was staying with an aunt. The young lady had just moved into the apartment and was working on getting her life in order.Appears the Aunt is a stong Christian mentor and prayer partner in her life.

[EveningStar]

I agree. But I think that by focusing on Ashley Smith in such an overwhelming way we are losing sight of the victims and their families.

[Quilla]

I agree with you completely. About 16 ago, my ex-husband of nearly a year kicked down the back door of my house. I was able to call 9-11 and throw the phone down before he located me in the house. He held a gun to my head and threatened to kill me if I didn't take him back. I told him "Sure, I'll take you back." I said all kinds of things to keep him from pulling that trigger.

Eventually, the police arrived as they had been listening to the entire ordeal through the dropped phone. I told him I'd get rid of them so we could restart our lives together. Thankfully, he actually believed me. As soon as I opened the front door, I bolted. He was arrested and no relationship ensued.

This lady did what she had to do to stay alive.

[cwiz24]

A..She stopped the killing..B she got him to surrender peacefully C she is alive to mother her child.

Well said. That's all that really needs to be said, isn't it? Isn't this all that matters?

[2nd Amendment]

You got it rapidralph!

[myrabach]

You would have liked it better if he had raped and killed her?

[cwiz24]

This lady did what she had to do to stay alive.

It's human instinct to do anything necessary to preserve our own life and the lives of our loved ones. Her instincts kicked in along with the adrenaline and she likely handled it better than anyone else could have.

[processing please hold]

I think a lot of you people are missing the point. She was brave. No doubt about it. But she sounds like she tooting her own horn. The man is a murderer, not someone to be looked upon as favorably as she does.

She has more sympathy for the murderer and the murdered. That's twisted logic.

[pj_627]

"Stockholm syndrome"

Perhaps.....but also a clear example of a Christian who truly "lives" her faith. We need a great many more "Ashleys" in the world.

pattyjo

[Deguello]

"don't like this woman for something she said or didn't say"

The problem is people using her as an example of how to deal with a known killer who has said that he will kill her if he feels like.

God gave her several chances to escape and she abused them.

[Sloth]

She has more sympathy for the murderer and the murdered. That's twisted logic.

Supporting quotes, please?

[cwiz24]

I think a lot of you people are missing the point. She was brave. No doubt about it. But she sounds like she tooting her own horn. The man is a murderer, not someone to be looked upon as favorably as she does. She has more sympathy for the murderer and the murdered. That's twisted logic. And you know she has more sympathy for the murderer how? Did she say that? Or are you perhaps reading too much into what she said...

[MEG33]

For now...Families mourn their losses. Justice needs to have a turn now.

I thank God there are not more grieving friends and family added.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

My perspective ain't skewed, but it just seems like this Lady made the right calls. She made promises to a killer, in good faith, and She held to them. No matter what He was, She held to what She is, sounds pretty good, to Me.
If You lie, it does not matter who, or what, You lie about, unless You want to get into the end justifies the means game, Hell, I thought the democrats had that angle all locked up!
I'll try again, another way, this Lady defines Herself, and does not allow any other definitions. I think the term may be, "honorable".

[benjaminjjones]

Stockholm syndrome

Could be something like that. She was trying so hard to survive, she bonded with him, and it just hasn't worn off yet.

Her Aunt called Rush today and said she was exhausted and sleeping it off on the Aunt's couch.

I couldn't figure out why she had to go visit her daughter the next morning, but just heard on Howie that the kid was at a church retreat.

I read the father was stabbed to death, but haven't seen the circumstances of how that happened.

[cwiz24]

I think a lot of you people are missing the point. She was brave. No doubt about it. But she sounds like she tooting her own horn. The man is a murderer, not someone to be looked upon as favorably as she does. She has more sympathy for the murderer and the murdered. That's twisted logic.

Sorry--italics got out of control...

And you know she has more sympathy for the murderer how? Did she say that? Or are you perhaps reading too much into what she said...

[Deetes]

She drove with him to stash the truck with her cell phone on her seat and then gave him a ride back to her apartment.

This is the most disturbing part. He was unarmed and she was in another car miles from her house. Yet she picked him up and took him back to where the weapons were at. Very strange ....

[mindgames]

As far as psychopathic, rapist, machine-gun weilding, gun-stealing, escaping, murdering, car-jacking, hostage-taking, criminals go, he sounds like one of the sweetest.

I bet he is a great conversationalist over dinner. Probably has some "killer" stories.

[EveningStar]

Don't be silly. I'm glad it turned out the way it did. I just hope folks don't forget what this joker did.