Posted on 05/06/2005 12:00:31 AM PDT by kingattax
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks apologized Thursday for disappearing just before her wedding day, and insisted cryptically that her flight was prompted not by cold feet, but by "a host of compelling issues, which seemed out of control."
Wilbanks, whose three-day disappearance led to a nationwide search, initially told investigators she had been abducted by a Hispanic male and white woman with a handgun, a story that quickly unraveled. Albuquerque, N.M., police said Thursday that Wilbanks also claimed she had been sexually assaulted, but recanted with the rest of her story.
In a statement read by her father's pastor, the Rev. Tom Smiley, Wilbanks said she was "truly sorry for the troubles I caused."
Wilbanks said her flight by bus to Las Vegas and eventually to Albuquerque was not in response to her pending wedding, which had been scheduled four days after she vanished.
"Those who know me know how excited I've been, and how excited I was about the spectacular wedding we planned, and how I could not wait to be Mrs. John Mason," the statement said.
"In my mind, it was never about the timing, however unfortunate. I was simply running from myself and from certain fears controlling my life."
Wilbanks said she has asked for the forgiveness of her fiance, their families, friends, churches and communities "and any others I may have offended unintentionally," adding that she was "deeply grateful and appreciative to everyone who responded on my behalf."
Many of those in the community expressed disgust when they learned that she had run off without telling anyone.
"Each day I am understanding more about who I am and the issues that influenced me to respond inappropriately," Wilbanks' statement said.
Smiley, who has been counseling Wilbanks, said she "poured her heart and her soul into this statement. These are her words and these are her feelings."
Wilbanks' attorney Lydia Sartain has said her client is seeking professional help for her problems and is in no condition to publicly answer questions. Wilbanks has been in seclusion with her family since her return to Georgia late Saturday.
Her statement did not address Duluth Mayor Shirley Lasseter's request that she repay the city for the costs of the search. Lasseter had also wanted Wilbanks to commit to perform community service in the town.
The city is considering a lawsuit to recoup its costs, while Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter is investigating possible criminal charges against Wilbanks for falsely reporting a crime. Porter said Thursday night he had not seen any information on the sexual assault claim and was awaiting an FBI report on Wilbanks' statements to authorities in Albuquerque.
Her statement also did not specifically address her false claim that a Hispanic man had abducted her. But the president of the group Hispanics Across America backed down from his threat to protest outside her home.
The group's president, Fernando Mateo, said members were satisfied with her general apology.
"Our purpose was not to crucify this woman but just to let the nation know they can't freely use the name 'Hispanic' in a stereotyping manner where Hispanics are perceived to be thugs and criminals," he said
The lady is a Fruitcake, as are so very many who have "issues" and are "learning who they are."
It's a shame NM declined to prosecute (so far) but I see their point. It would cost more money than it would be worth. Just send her butt back to Georgia and get rid of the lunatic.
What ever happens to her and her intended, let it happen in obscurity. Enough already.
Oh please. Our Co-Presidents were still trying to find themselves while occupying the White House. If it's OK for the Co-Presidents to not know who they are, it's OK for this poor lost soul as well. /sarcasm/
"Our purpose was not to crucify this woman but just to let the nation know they can't freely use the name 'Hispanic' in a stereotyping manner where Hispanics are perceived to be thugs and criminals," he said.
Out of simple curiosity, when a Hispanic does commit a crime, will the President of the "Hispanic community" offer the US public an apology? I mean.. when special interest groups raise these "don't bash us" stuff, I always wonder why they don't also apologize when "one of their own" (as they so strongly assert) does do something bad.. They don't. And they should do this if they are "speaking" as leader of a "group", shouldn't they?
Evidently she just doesn't want to admit that she doesn't want to marry this guy.
Ms. Wilbanks filed false police reports with two police departments, might have also lied to FBI agents, but she got FBI souvenirs and escorts.
I never thought that I would feel any sympathy for Martha Stewart, but it seems she had a point when she claimed to be a victim of selective prosecution.
Her irrational behavior would not be inconsistent with past sexual abuse. A woman lived in our home who was placed there by our church who was deeply depressed. Turns out she was bipolar. She had been able to live a relatively normal life until she got engaged and she fell apart as the marriage neared. It took her well over 10 years to get it together. She eventually did get married, but only after many, many years of intense therapy. Sounds a lot like Wilbanks to me.
you make a very good point.....but that's not the way it works in the "victim" game
You are most correct; it is a game. It's not about civil rights.
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