Posted on 03/24/2005 8:10:52 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper
One by one, various federal and state agencies handed former hostage Ashley Smith reward checks for her heroism and bravery that ended the hunt for a fugitive wanted in four separate murders.
During a ceremony inside the state Capitol Thursday, law enforcement officials along with Gov. Sonny Perdue praised Smith, 26, for her actions after being taken hostage by courthouse shooting suspect Brian Nichols on March 12.
"We never counted on Ashley Smith. We never took that into consideration but, Ashley, with your calm demeanor and handling of the situation, with your cool headed reasoning, you were able to overcome a very serious situation," U.S. Marshal Richard Mecum said while handing Smith a $25,000 check.
Within moments, Smith received $70,000 in reward money as a credit to the way she handled Nichols and eventually convinced him to allow her to leave her apartment in Gwinnett County.
Nichols had confronted Smith as she entered her apartment at 2 a.m. and held her hostage for seven hours. During that time, Smith said she spoke of her 5-year-old daughter and her need to stay alive because her husband had been killed. Eventually, Smith read to Nichols from an inspirational book concerning a person's need to find their purpose in life.
"Trapped in her home with a dangerous killer, Ashley won his trust through her humanity and her compassion. She talked about her late husband and a love for her daughter and she talked about her faith," said Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Perdue said Smith "pierced his hardened heart" and "let him see it was time to put down his weapon, time to let her go, time to surrender to justice."
When Nichols allowed Smith to leave her home, she alerted authorities to his whereabouts and he surrendered peacefully. Smith spoke briefly during the ceremony.
"Throughout this journey, I have felt your prayers and your prayers have sustained and strengthened me. "Yes, my life has changed but that is a small fraction compared to all the families who lost loved ones during this tragic event earlier in the month. My heart goes out to all the families of those that are still mourning," she said.
"My life is testimony that God can use us even in the midst of tragedy and miracles do happen."
Smith has been staying with relatives in Augusta since the ordeal. In all, she received $25,000 from the U.S. Marshals Office, $20,000 from the FBI, $10,000 from Perdue's office, $5,000 from the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, $5,000 from the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police and $5,000 from the city of Atlanta. She previously received $2,500 from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
I think he is right. His statement regarding Ashley's boyfriend is news to me, though. I think more will come out about this with time.
Remember how eager many folks were about rescued POW Jessica Lynch's heroics? It was mostly imagined, but the public so wanted it to be true. That is sorta what I sensed about Ashley. (I hope I'm wrong, but I sense there are still things unknown).
Guess what - YOU'RE FRIGGIN' WRONG!!
She can afford that nose job now.
Hope you're being VERY sarcastic.
So this info is coming from the buffoons who had difficulty in handling the prisoner, then tracking him once he was loose? I'm suspicious because it sounds like they're trying to diminish their responsibility in the matter by slandering the one person who was able to contain the situation.
She outsmarter Nichols.. She deserves the money.
I wish her the best.
and then you have those that do nothing but try as hard as they can to dig up the dirt.
Chieftain and bhp you may want to apply for grave digger posiitons since you both like dirt digging so well.
I hope she is always known by that name. But, with almost $75,000 I also hope she moves out of Atlanta and builds a wonderful, quiet, life somewhere safe. Where is that? Who knows anymore, but I hope she finds it. We all owe her so much. Atlanta because of the lives she saved there. The rest of the world because of the great example she set for courage, sensibility and faith in God.
LMAO!!!
By the way, learn to use the paragraph tag. It's very simple, add <p> after three or four sentences.
The power of God knows no bounds.
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
Nice.
Why do you feel the need to trash an average citizen who was taken hostage and then able to end a very dangerous situation? Why on earth would you take snotty potshots about her looks?
What a miserable loser you must be.
If you were a puppy, I would swat you with a rolled up newspaper for being a 'bad doggie'.
During a ceremony inside the state Capitol Thursday, law enforcement officials along with Gov. Sonny Perdue praised Smith, 26, for her actions after being taken hostage by courthouse shooting suspect Brian Nichols on March 12.
"We never counted on Ashley Smith. We never took that into consideration but, Ashley, with your calm demeanor and handling of the situation, with your cool headed reasoning, you were able to overcome a very serious situation," U.S. Marshal Richard Mecum said while handing Smith a $25,000 check.
Source, newbie? Or did you sign up today just to go after this woman/case?
On Boorts this am we NOW...NOW!..hear that there were THREE SHERRIFFS who were supposed to be watching the video covering the room where Nichols assaulted the deputy and took her gun. Two were dong other things and one WAS RUNNING AN ERRAND TO GET THE CHIEF SOME BREAKFAST!
Yeah, we never heard about that. So what is wrong with getting the TRUTH? Go for it , Chieftain. We all might feel better about the "Little Ashley Red Riding Hood " fairy tale if we knew the truth. The whole truth, nothing but the truth. No harm in exploring that. Bet the Sherriff's Dept and ALL Law Enforcement all the way to Governor Perdue were happy to get the focus on The Angel,
not on themselves.
Plus speaking engagements......
nothing but,....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
bump
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