GA - Jennifer Wilbanks, runaway bride, for false police report, Duluth, 2005

[Buzz Mills]

I don't see where there's enough material for a book here! But, it's never stopped anyone before...gotta cash in before the public's interest wanes, I guess.

I know there's been criticism that the public and media are keeping this "non-story" alive, but if Mason and/or Wilbanks are talking book deals, well...they're not exactly doing their part to help this die down, are they?

I know it shouldn't surprise me, but somehow it still does.

There isn't anyone who is allowing this story to die down, and that includes the D.A. of Gwinett County, and the City of Duluth officials. Perhaps they have formally filed charges, in the hopes of expediting a probable plea agreement. Let's hope that's all it is. This story has far outlived its useful life. If it does happen to go to trial, there aren't any guarantees as to what the outcome will be, including restitution, as that, at least to my understanding, is a separate issue.

With respect to John Mason writing a book, that is carrying this story way beyond anything that it should be, and now he is hoping Jennifer will participate. What's this???, exploitation in the name of Christianity, to save Jennifer's soul. Give me a break.

All that is needed now is for charges to be filed against John for collusion, alluding that J & J cooked this whole thing up, in the hopes of capitalizing on the bizarre story, and then this will have come full circle.

Can we say "Soap Opera."

 

[Pharlap]

There isn't anyone who is allowing this story to die down, and that includes the D.A. of Gwinett County, and the City of Duluth officials. Perhaps they have formally filed charges, in the hopes of expediting a probable plea agreement. Let's hope that's all it is. This story has far outlived its useful life. If it does happen to go to trial, there aren't any guarantees as to what the outcome will be, including restitution, as that, at least to my understanding, is a separate issue.

With respect to John Mason writing a book, that is carrying this story way beyond anything that it should be, and now he is hoping Jennifer will participate. What's this???, exploitation in the name of Christianity, to save Jennifer's soul. Give me a break.

All that is needed now is for charges to be filed against John for collusion, alluding that J & J cooked this whole thing up, in the hopes of capitalizing on the bizarre story, and then this will have come full circle.

Can we say "Soap Opera."

:clap: Amen

 

[Buzz Mills]

Well this is ONE WAY to pay off the enormous FINES SHE'LL FACE.... even after being convicted.
SNIP

Enormous fines??? I don't think so, unless you consider a $10,000 fine to be enormous.

Does anyone have the fines available based on the charges filed??

Edited to add:

From the original news article linked in Post #82 of this thread:

Wilbanks could face up to six years in prison if convicted of both charges, as well as $11,000 in fines.

 

[Cypros]

Thanks, BorderGal, for posting the smoking gun link. All I can say after reading Jennifer's statement is -- WOW! I'm guessing that some of the details she provided on the sexual assault come from a long-time fantasy that has been playing in her mind.

Has any information ever come out about Jennifer's traveling companions? Were they identified? Are they even real?

 

[Buzz Mills]

Enormous fines??? I don't think so, unless you consider a $10,000 fine to be enormous.

Does anyone have the fines available based on the charges filed??

Edited to add:

From the original news article linked in Post #82 of this thread:

Wilbanks could face up to six years in prison if convicted of both charges, as well as $11,000 in fines.

As we know, or at least strongly suspect, Jennifer doesm't have money of her own. So, if restitution, is to be made, the money would most likely come from Jennifer's parents. If this case actually goes to trial, and isn't plea bargained, exactly what would the incentive be, for Jennifer's parents to pay the restitution money to the City of Duluth, as they are already having to pay for an attorney, and those attorney costs will sky rocket in the event of a trial.

At that point could we say that Gwinnett County, and the City of Duluth, are shooting, or have shot themselves in the foot??

Let's remember that, although the D.A., and city officials, are being paid their regular salaries, and this is all part of their jobs, couldn't they better apply their time, and resources, to something more worthwhile. There must be something else they could do in lieu of this.

This is far from a slam dunk case, as there are points of law to be argued. Woe be the City of Duluth, if a plea bargain is not reached, and Gwinnett County does not, or even if they do, prevail in the criminal trial.

That would leave the City of Duluth in a very shaky position with respect to recovering restitution from a destitute Jennifer, in a civil suit, should they choose to bring one. As my father, and many others, used to say: "You can't get blood from a turnip."

 

[Pepper]

I'll kind of go with the flow on this. Being I am from the country and I have seen first hand the house changes from 3 weeks ago to now....I have been a drive by....not a stalker but a drive by....I tend to agree. Haven't posted all my info for fear of being attacked but my eyes are pretty good. My hearing isn't exceptional but my reading ability is astute. So, bash me me if you want to. Not you, Marthatex, I know you would never do that. But others who don't really like the truth!

CP, I am really interested in the local perspective. What's the gossip around town? Is the marriage on or off? How does the Mason family feel about what happened?
Have you talked to anyone invited to the wedding that wasn't? Do you know any of the wedding attendants?

Come on CP!! Give us the scoop!! :blowkiss:

 

[luvbeaches]

I don't see where there's enough material for a book here! But, it's never stopped anyone before...gotta cash in before the public's interest wanes, I guess.

I know there's been criticism that the public and media are keeping this "non-story" alive, but if Mason and/or Wilbanks are talking book deals, well...they're not exactly doing their part to help this die down, are they?

I know it shouldn't surprise me, but somehow it still does.

I think I would want to melt into the woodwork if I was her fiance. Personally, I think she's just a criminal, and needs to answer for her crimes (and does seem to be in need of some mental help). And I really don't need to hear any more about the "born again virgin" thing.

I'm with you...I know I shouldn't be surprised, but I still am.

 

[Marthatex]

I'm beginning to wonder about old John - flying up to consider a book deal. What would it be called - "Men Who Love Too Much - and the women who cuckold them?"

"Nice Girls Finish Last (with me anyway)"

"She Had Me at Goodbye"

"I Never Noticed Her Eyes, I Was Busy Looking Elsewhere..." :crazy: :crazy:

 

[luvbeaches]

I'm beginning to wonder about old John - flying up to consider a book deal. What would it be called - "Men Who Love Too Much - and the women who cuckold them?"

"Nice Girls Finish Last (with me anyway)"

"She Had Me at Goodbye"

"I Never Noticed Her Eyes, I Was Busy Looking Elsewhere..." :crazy: :crazy:

LOL....

He seems like a nice guy, and he's seemed like he was being a gentleman when he stood up for her (her old boyfriend certainly wasn't very nice), so why write a book? I'd want the mess to be done and over with. At least my end of it, if I were him.

 

[Buzz Mills]

LOL....

He seems like a nice guy, and he's seemed like he was being a gentleman when he stood up for her (her old boyfriend certainly wasn't very nice), so why write a book? I'd want the mess to be done and over with. At least my end of it, if I were him.

John apparently is still looking for that 15 minutes of fame; up until now the spotlight has been almost entirely on Jennifer. Could the real motive for him writing a book be from a revenge perspective that will be cloaked in Christianity. I agree with others, the best thing that John could do is to go on a mission to some faraway land, for a year, or so, until this thing dies down. In the meantime, until something changes, the media has the power to continue to create the news in this case, and John is apparently buying into it.

 

[luvbeaches]

John apparently is still looking for that 15 minutes of fame; up until now the spotlight has been almost entirely on Jennifer. Could the real motive for him writing a book be from a revenge perspective that will be cloaked in Christianity. I agree with others, the best thing that John could do is to go on a mission to some faraway land, for a year, or so, until this thing dies down. In the meantime, until something changes, the media has the power to continue to create the news in this case, and John is apparently buying into it.

I believe you have hit the nail on the head. I think the "born again virgin" thing is just a hint of what is to come if he does write a book. It could be that after he's through with this book of his, it might give us all some insight into his thinking...and just maybe, why Jennifer fled. Maybe HE was too much for her. Maybe she felt she couldn't live up to HIS expectations. Could be interesting.

 

[atbay]

Turn around, bug eyes, oh look what you've done-you've made a fool of everyone, a fool of everyone...

(Sung to the tune of "Turn around bright-eyes", and
"Fool of everyone" both sung at the same time).

 

[Marthatex]

"How do I love thee? Let me count the wa...er arrests."

 

[GrannyEdith]

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/47466.htm

"The Post found her in T-shirt, flip-flops and cargo pants walking on the grounds of a private Atlanta-area psychiatric hospital with a group of female patients and their staff escorts."

More at link.

 

[1986]

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/47466.htm

"The Post found her in T-shirt, flip-flops and cargo pants walking on the grounds of a private Atlanta-area psychiatric hospital with a group of female patients and their staff escorts."

More at link.

I'm not sure I agree with media trying to find and then publishing her whereabouts. What about the other patients there? And what if she really does have emotional problems. This might push her over the edge. If she committed suicide I'd feel really bad. Let her have her time at the hospital. She'll be out and in jail soon enough.

 

[kgeaux]

NYPost published some pictures of Jennifer, taken on one of her walks from one building to the next. Those pics aren't available online, apparently. I am wondering if anyone else saw them on the news this morning......she looks relaxed, happy and seems to have gained a little weight IMO.

 

[Buzz Mills]

From the Post article:

Despite her indictment last week on charges of making a false statement and filing a false police report, Wilbanks is expected to remain at the hospital to finish her treatment.

"We won't interrupt her treatment to put her in jail . . . as long as she's an inpatient and can't leave," Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter told The Post. He said he planned to find out today what her medical status is and arrange for her surrender as soon as she's released.

"One of the foundations of the case, one of the dispositions, will be that she gets treatment," he explained.

Do I detect a change in the position of the D.A.?? Last week, it seemed that the D.A. was adamant that Jennifer would have to surrender this week to answer to the charges filed against her. Is the D.A. backing off on his "get tough" stance??

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/47466.htm

 

[mysteriew]

Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks has agreed to pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth, Ga., to help pay for the costs the city incurred searching for her, the mayor said Tuesday.

The city attorney notified Mayor Shirley Lasseter that a written agreement for compensation had been reached. The city was expected to receive a check from Wilbanks on Tuesday, Lasseter said.

In accepting the agreement, the city will have to write off about $30,000 in other costs searching for the bride-to-be, who disappeared April 26, four days before her planned wedding.

"We're very appreciative they were willing to give us the $13,000. We would have certainly welcomed the entire amount that covered all of our employees but we are ready to get this behind us," Lasseter said.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/wireStory?id=806212

 

[Marthatex]

They are still saying she's a nurse. I guess they just don't have time to check their facts.

 

[luvbeaches]

The family offered a $100,000 reward, but she's only going to pay back $13,000. I think she should have to pay every cent back.