Woman charged in exposure

The News & Observer ^ | : May 20, 2005

[kingattax]

RALEIGH -- Police arrested a woman Thursday, thinking she lifted her dress and exposed herself to an assistant high school principal, according to reports.

Donna Maria Thomas, 42, of 1619 Trently Court was charged with indecent exposure, simple assault, communicating threats and harassing a police officer over the telephone. She was in the Wake County jail Thursday night in lieu of $2,000 bail.

Her daughter attends Millbrook High School, where Darnell Bethel is an assistant principal, said Jim Sughrue, spokesman for the Raleigh Police Department. There have been past disputes between Thomas and school officials, he said.

Police think she approached Bethel while he was on his way to a medical appointment Tuesday on Dresser Court, according to arrest warrants.

Thomas is accused of cursing at Bethel, lifting her dress and exposing her backside, arrest warrants state. She was not wearing underwear at the time, according to police.

The simple assault charge, a misdemeanor, was filed because Bethel was forced to take a different route to his doctor's appointment, according to arrest warrants.

Bethel declined to comment.

[Perdogg]

NC Supreme court has already ruled that mooning is not indecent exposure.

[Palladin]

Moon over Raleigh...film at eleven.

[kingattax]

LOL.

[martin_fierro]

I have no idea why this woman would do this.

So here's the WTC Guy with Janet Jackson.

[sirthomasthemore]

Thomas is accused of cursing at Bethel, lifting her dress and exposing her backside, arrest warrants state. She was not wearing underwear at the time

---

Why was she arrested? Perhaps it was just a gesture or offer of reconciliation?

[mikegi]

Why was she arrested? Perhaps it was just a gesture or offer of reconciliation?

Because she weighs 300 lbs?

[sirthomasthemore]

Why was she arrested? Perhaps it was just a gesture or offer of reconciliation?
Because she weighs 300 lbs?

---

Well then, a very generous offer of reconciliation.

[freepatriot32]

The simple assault charge, a misdemeanor, was filed because Bethel was forced to take a different route to his doctor's appointment, according to arrest warrants.

That is really stretching the definition of assault beyond ridiculous. Can i have every member of the street department arrested for assault daily since i have to go 5 blocks out of my way to get to a mall becasue of al lthe orange barrels they put up because of all the road construction?

[Nov3]

The simple assault charge, a misdemeanor, was filed because Bethel was forced to take a different route to his doctor's appointment, according to arrest warrants.

Give me a break.

[CO Gal]

My gosh! I used to get embarrassed if my mom picked me up not wearing any.....makeup!! My how times have changed!

[garyhope]

"Moms Gone Wild!"

[Chode]

[Drammach]

We have a legal contradiction here..

Isn't mooning a "freedom of speech or expression" issue?

As long as no threat was made, physically or verbally, no "assault" occurred..
The recipient's "perception" of the act as an assault or threat of assault cannot be considered..
Otherwise, all acts "perceived" to be assault could be charged..

The mooning was an expression of disgust, frustration, etc., but not an assault..

[Larry Lucido]

I wonder how they pick folks to do the lineup? Do all the butts have to be the same general size and shade?

[King Prout]

oh, wow... the tourist guy is finally unmasked!

[The Red Zone]

The moon was SO disgusting it was tantamount to an assault.

[cynicom]

How can it be simple assult when the lady was using a deadly weapon. There needs to be further investigation.

[N. Beaujon]

The legal definition of assault is "threat or use of force on another that reasonably makes that person fear bodily harm".

An aggressive mooning by a 300 lb. soccer mom definately puts fear in my heart.

lol, btw, to some of these comments. Too funny.

[BobS]

After she mooned him, he needs a doctor's appointment? I want to be on the jury if it goes to trial.