Carlee Russell, 26, will appear in Hoover Municipal Court Wednesday. She’s charged with 2 Class A misdemeanor counts for what police describe as a staged kidnapping in July. Russell is charged with false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident. The Alabama Attorney...
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10/11/23
This may not be the end of Russell’s charges. We also learned prosecutors have empaneled a grand jury in this case.
“You will have to talk with the great attorney general’s office about [forthcoming charges],” added Anthony. “I don’t know. We were invited to talk to the grand jury. We turned that down. We don’t need to put her before someone when we are dealing with this right now.”
The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment.
Anthony admitted Russell was nervous about the hearing, stating she knows she made a mistake.
“She understands what’s happened, she’s apologized for what transpired,” Anthony answered. “I don’t want to her to have any type of breakdown. We are handling her with kid gloves.”
To date, investigators admit they still don’t know Russell’s whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing. Appealing the case to circuit court will force the state to put on evidence and witnesses to prove their case and show why they’re recommending a custodial sentence. They will also need to prove why they’re seeking more than $17,000 dollars in restitution.
“Eventually you will find out the why of it,” Anthony said, eluding to possible evidence that may come out in court. “You can stop saying she was out 48 hours with some guy, you can stop saying she was out at the Red Roof Inn.”
The defense has fourteen days to file an appeal.