Posted on 12/22/2005 3:24:24 AM PST by ResistorSister
CANTON - Virgil Stewart admitted Wednesday that he lied about his past.
“I’m sorry for lying to you,” said Stewart, sentenced last year to three years of probation after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine. “(I’m) kind of hurt inside. Just wanted to get everything straightened out. I just hope my probation officer won’t put me in prison for lying.”
Stewart admitted his wife hadn’t died, as he said Tuesday. They were divorced. He wasn’t coming from his brother’s house when the attack occurred, as he said, but from the home of a friend he had grown up with, he said, whom he considered a brother.
Stewart said he decided to confess after a city police detective summoned him to the police station Wednesday afternoon and expressed skepticism about whether Stewart had even been robbed.
“You lied to the newspaper, man,” Stewart said the detective told him. “Why should I believe you on this?”
Stewart said his time in prison in California on an involuntary manslaughter conviction in the 1970s and the criminal record of a relative of his friend also hurt his credibility with the detective.
The detective did not return a call seeking comment. Canton Police Chief Dean McKimm said he was unable Wednesday to reach detectives on the case and could not confirm whether Stewart’s account of his police interview was accurate.
Why did he lie?
“I don’t know, buddy,” Stewart said. “Trying to get attention.”
So why should people believe he’s telling the truth about his wheelchair being stolen?
“I did get jumped,” he said. “I don’t care if nobody believes me.”
Stark Area Regional Transit Authority reports say Stewart, before collapsing after violently shaking at the Cornerstone bus station, boarded a bus at Marion Motley shortly after he said the incident happened and told a SARTA bus driver that someone had assaulted him and stolen his wheelchair. A SARTA supervisor arranged for an ambulance to take him to Mercy. Stewart also had cuts on his body.
An article Wednesday about Stewart’s account of his attack horrified and tugged on the heartstrings of at least 20 people who called The Repository asking how they could help. Several, some representing medical equipment companies, offered to give Stewart a free wheelchair. Crews from two television stations showed up at Stewart’s Canton home to interview him.
But hours later, Stewart said he understood that people may now change their minds about giving him a wheelchair.
“If nobody wants to help me, fine,” he said, sounding resigned.
Upon learning of Stewart’s confession and his criminal record, two women rescinded their offers of a wheelchair donation, but others said if Stewart was truly assaulted and needs a wheelchair, they’re still willing to help him.
“I just want to help him get a wheelchair and help him get straight and not to lie,” said local antiques dealer Gary Hudson. “He admitted it. That’s the first step of straightening something out.”
“If he really was robbed, no matter what ... he’s without a wheelchair now, and it’s Christmas,” said city parks employee Frank Thristino, 58, who wants to collect money to buy him a wheelchair. “We pray his story is not bogus, and either way, it’s sad. If it’s bogus, it’s sad. If it really happened, it’s sad.”
Reach Repository writer Robert Wang at (330) 580-8327 or e-mail: robert.wang@cantonrep.com
My husband is always rights.
I posted an update on yesterday's story about a Vet being attacked; he lied about everything, except the attack (so he says).
Sad thing is, he probably WAS attacked but now nobody will ever believe him.
You're right.
What a shame. I guess he needed some attention. It is not the way to get it.
Wow, this guy's a loser. He should appeal to John Kerry, they have something in common.
I thought the Democrats had more than enough "standard bearers".
On second thought, their mortality rate is so high, I guess there are never enough.
rights? -- I'z a product of publik scoolz.
No, I do have sisters. :-)
Boy....Wolf
Give that fatass a crutch.
Then, when real veterans come across him, we can kick it out and watch this sack of sh!t fall with a wet thud.
Actually, no. You called an amputee widowed vet who was mugged a wimp.
But it's Christmas, and you got an unexpected gift.
One of those little graces that are so prevalent at this time of year.
Leg amputated because of gangrene?
Bet he was too lazy to treat his diabetes properly. And I bet he was on SSI because of diabetes before the leg went.
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.
He lied about his veteran status and he wouldn't be the first to lie that he was attacked by black men. How do we know he didn't fall out of his chair in a drunk stupor?
Good thing Clinton only lied about sex.
What a POS
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