[DancesWithCats]

"She was very nervous after the assault, but she had not she had not been physically hurt," Lopez said.

Costa Rican officials interviewed the group, but said they wouldn't charge the US tourist with any crime because he acted in self defense.

"They were in their right to defend themselves after being held up," Hernandez said.

He said Segura had previous charges against him for assault.

The cruise ship delayed its departure until the group was released and again boarded the ship, The Carnival Liberty, which was set to return Sunday to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Adams spoke with the AP until a man who identified himself as her fiancee said they didn't want to talk to the press. He said the group might release a joint statement later, without elaborating. Adams did not say what state or city she came from.

Costa Rica has struggled with growing violence and crime in recent years. University of Kansas student Shannon Martin, 23, was stabbed to death in 2001 after she left a nightclub in Golfito, 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of San Jose.

Carnival Cruise Lines confirmed in a statement that one of the ship's guests had killed the Costa Rican assailant, but refused to name those involved.

"All of the guests involved, who had booked the cruise together as a group, have opted to continue with their vacation plans. Carnival is providing full support and assistance to the guests," the statement said.

=======================================================

YAY and a heroes award for another U.S. military veteran!! Even though the guy is in his 70's, he still had The Right Stuff!!

(this story is a tad old but I searched for it and didn't find any reference to it on FR ... figured it was still an interesting article and you'd all enjoy hearing about this guy!)

[Issaquahking]

A story well worth repeating! Confronting the problem directly as a citizen who refuses to to be taken advantage of!

[WSGilcrest]

bookmark

[trisham]

Suddenly, one of the tourists, a US military veteran estimated to be in his 70s

*************

WOW!

[spunkets]

"Suddenly, one of the tourists, a US military veteran estimated to be in his 70s..."

LOL! No slacker here.

[VR-21]

Steak & Eggs for the soul.

[RightWhale]

• a US military veteran estimated to be in his 70s

  Usually the only calm one around.

[NonValueAdded]

sniff ... I just love a happy ending! gets me all teary-eyed.

[snowsislander]

The veteran has been identified in other versions of this story as a retired Marine, Allan Clady, such as the version found at www.mcleague.com.

[Freedom4US]

Sad story, but it had a happy ending.

People might cringe but it could have ended VERY badly the group - had their not been someone who decided they weren’t gonna play victim today. Way to go good guys!

[teenyelliott]

Very cool. Thanks for the story.

[teenyelliott]

I love this story ping

[usmcobra]

Never mess with an old Marine.

[MNJohnnie]

Great story, thanks for posting!

[L98Fiero]

“Adams was part of a group of 12 American tourists who hired a local driver to explore Costa Rica for a few hours.”

It is my understanding that this is NOT a good idea.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Or as Governor Deval Patrick would say, this was “a failure of human beings to understand each other, to learn to love each other.”

[VOA]

bump

[VOA]

Suddenly, one of the tourists, a US military veteran estimated to be in his 70s,

This guy should start a training course in "self-defense for
senior citizens".

With a DVD or two, he could make some $$$.

[VOA]

I got to hand it to Costa Rica.
Another sane place like Texas where the authorities don’t screw with
citizens that “take out the trash”.

[VOA]

“Costa Rican officials interviewed the group, but said they wouldn’t charge
the US tourist with any crime because he acted in self defense.”

And probably they couldn’t find any Costa Rican cops that wanted to
try to take the old guy into custody!

[SunkenCiv]

Nice work!