Prosecutor: Rape claim won't be factor in possible charges against Wilbanks

Macon Telegraph via AP ^ | 7 May 05 | Daniel Yee

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

GAINESVILLE - Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks' phony report to police that she was sexually assaulted won't be an additional factor for a Georgia prosecutor considering criminal charges. If she lied, she lied, he says.

Responding to reports from police in Albuquerque, N.M., that Wilbanks said she was sexually assaulted in addition to being kidnapped - allegations she later recanted - Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said Friday that he is examining evidence for one charge, providing false statements to a government agency.

Porter is gathering tapes and reports from five law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, as he decides whether to pursue charges against the 32-year-old Wilbanks, who vanished last week days before her planned lavish wedding.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Not much new here, except that the pastor is still hogging the mic.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Ma'am,

Kindly alert the usual suspects.

Respectfully,

Balrog

[SkyPilot]

But her pastor, the Rev. Tom Smiley, said Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America" that he has received hundreds of e-mails about Wilbanks and they have been "99 percent positive."

The pastor seems like a good, Godly man, but I find this claim very hard to believe. Either that, or he is out of touch with how many people feel negatively towards this woman.

[G.Mason]

" ... her pastor, the Rev. Tom Smiley, said Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America" that he has received hundreds of e-mails about Wilbanks and they have been "99 percent positive.""

Well now, that's about to change Rev."Born Again Virgin" Smiley.

You'll be sure to give us the updated percentages, right? ;)

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

He seems like his doing the best he can. I'm not sure that it's very helpful.

Everyone involved in this affair seems, to put it as mildly as possible, quirky.

That may just be the result of having to play out their local crisis on the national stage. I don't know that I would come off any better if I was the one who was the ant under the magnifying glass.

Still, if you don't want to be the focus of ongoing media attention, rule number one is: stay off the talk shows, sit down, STFU.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

You'll be sure to give us the updated percentages, right? ;)

I wonder if he has prior experience as an observer at Cuban elections.

[G.Mason]

" I wonder if he has prior experience as an observer at Cuban elections."

The real story seems to be this Smiley character.

Reverend "Born Again Virgin" is leading these birds of a feather around like they are under hypnosis.

I would really like to see his past investigated and find out what this creepy crawler has been up to. ;)

[sure_fine]

in my best knuckle dragging voice:

she just wanted to try on some one else and see if they fit before marrying this guy.. hope this dude wakes up

[Andy'smom]

I thought that there were 2 churches involved here. Rev Smiley is from the church in Gainesville where she grew up (or didn't as it turns out). The church that advertised the couple's "purity" on their website is in Duluth.

[Dante3]

Rev. Smiley probably is right. He is just talking about the e-mails he has received. Most of us who have a problem with her actions (which includes me) cripe on boards such as FR or e-mail people in the media such as O'Reilly.

[Dante3]

I think you are right.

While I certainly think she should not get away with what she did, I do find a number of comments here unfairly nasty and full of bitterness. Some have even attacked the groom. He and her family are the ones who suffered the most.

[sgtbono2002]

So what do we punish her for? Being mentally unstable?

[MisterRepublican]

"Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks' phony report to police that she was sexually assaulted won't be an additional factor for a Georgia prosecutor considering criminal charges. If she lied, she lied, he says."

Hey y'all, it's now ok to file false reports and lie to the police. And it's also ok to falsely accuse imaginary Hispanic men of rape.

I wonder what other laws this prosecutor will abolish for "attractive" would-be brides from small towns in Georgia. Maybe he'll authorize her to shoplift, carjack and deal drugs next to a school. Or hell, maybe she'll be authorized to kill the nitwit she's supposed to marry.

[elli1]

Wilbanks' statement did not address Duluth Mayor Shirley Lasseter's request that she repay the city for the costs of the search and perform community service.

I didn't watch the television coverage but I suspect that area businesses experienced a small bonanza from an influx of journalists covering the story and Duluth, population 22,000, gained a spot on the national map in a wacky kind of not-really-negative way (as it turns out). And the mayor appears to be ignoring the E-value of the incident...she might consider billing CNN & FoxNews for the costs of furnishing programming.... Then again, maybe the mayor & the District Attorney do realize the value of free publicity & that's why the soap opera is still running...

[1FASTGLOCK45]

MisterRepublican wrote:
I wonder what other laws this prosecutor will abolish for "attractive" would-be brides from small towns in Georgia. Maybe he'll authorize her to shoplift, carjack and deal drugs next to a school. Or hell, maybe she'll be authorized to kill the nitwit she's supposed to marry.

--> Yes, it's called the "insanity defense" that abolishes any laws for you as long as you can be declared "insane". it worked for the guy that tried to assasinate Reagan.
If your insane, you should be F'n shot, and not with a needle either.

[cajungirl]

Bal,

I admire you greatly. And to think it all started with a near-flame.

I await your alerts with breathlessness.

Affectionately,

CJ

[cajungirl]

ping

[xsmommy]

and i find the blossoming friendship between you two very touching. : )

[cajungirl]

Oh pish tush. Don't worry dear.

They will draw the line at Carjacking unless she has to to run over the Pastor to get him off the Television Machine.

[tomkat]

If your insane, you should be F'n shot...

That was tried back in the '30/'40s, somewhere in Europe . . .