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Trucker kidnapping - most charges dropped [girlfriend seen beating herself w/ hair dryer!]
AJC ^ | May 11, 2002 | The Associated Press

Posted on 05/11/2002 5:36:27 AM PDT by Risky Schemer

Most charges dropped against truck driver
accused of holding his girlfriend captive

The Associated Press

DUBLIN -- Most charges were dropped Friday against a truck driver who was accused of holding his girlfriend captive for months while they traveled in his tractor-trailer from New York to Tennessee.

shaddix
CNN
"Katina" Pate obviously was beaten, but her story had holes, officials said.

Magistrate Judge Tommy Bobbitt found no probable cause existed for charges of kidnapping with bodily injury and aggravated assault against Shannon E. Jones, 26.

Ronda "Katina" Pate, 37, had accused Jones two weeks ago of holding her against her will and beating her. She said she left a string of messages scrawled on restroom walls at rest stops, pleading for help. One message was found by a janitor in Tennessee, who notified authorities.

Jones was arrested at a rest area along Interstate 16 between Macon and Savannah April 20.

But the investigation into Pate's claims indicated she might have caused her own injuries, authorities said.

Bobbitt found cause only for a simple assault, a misdemeanor, and set Jones' bond at $2,500. Immediately after the hearing, Jones' mother posted the bail.

Assistant District Attorney David Gafnea said he may drop the simple assault charge.

The woman's story began to unravel soon after Jones' arrest as witnesses started coming forward saying they saw Pate without Jones just days prior to his arrest. Jones told Bobbitt that Pate could have left him at any time.

The lead investigator, sheriff's Sgt. Gerald Frazier, said a worker at the battered women's shelter where Pate is staying told him she had witnessed Pate beating herself with a hair dryer. He also said Pate's family members told him she was prone to beating herself.

"If the people didn't catch her beating herself with a hair dryer, I might still be in jail," Jones told The Macon Telegraph.

Gafnea said the most prosecutable charge in the case is probably the one against Pate. She was charged with giving false information about her identity. She originally told deputies her name was Katina Shaddix and that she was 24.

Although she originally told investigators she had left more than 100 help messages while they traveled, But she later said it was about 30, according to Frazier. No other message was found, despite a diligent effort, he said.

"She told a story that was so unbelievable it got attention around the globe," defense attorney Ralph Jackson said. "We know she lied. Without truthfulness, our justice system would be corrupted."

Jones said he plans to try to get his truck-driving job back. His truck still is in Laurens County, where he was arrested. If his boss agrees, he planned to drive the truck back to his home in Delhi, N.Y.

Despite the remaining charge, both Jones and his mother, Wanda Jones, said they were pleased with the outcome.

"The truth finally came out," said Jones. "I'm pretty satisfied."



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: kidnapping; trucker
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs
People make fun of knowledge about fashion and make-up, but here we have a perfect example of why it is sometimes important! If the police had been better informed about hair coloring, this woman's story wouldn't have been believed from day one.

Excellent analysis, HLL!

21 posted on 05/11/2002 6:52:35 AM PDT by Miss Marple
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To: FITZ
What would a guy see in a woman like this in the first place though?

Some guys will take whatever they can get

22 posted on 05/11/2002 6:56:24 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor
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To: motherof 3
I love the "CNN desk hostess"

Would "broadcast stewardess" have been any better? ;o)

23 posted on 05/11/2002 7:04:07 AM PDT by Risky Schemer
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To: Miss Marple
I call'em like I see'em. Thanks.
24 posted on 05/11/2002 7:13:55 AM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs
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To: Risky Schemer
Truth is stranger than fiction ?
25 posted on 05/11/2002 7:16:11 AM PDT by Dallas
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To: Risky Schemer; Pokey78; aculeus; Orual
I know just the man for her.
26 posted on 05/11/2002 7:21:07 AM PDT by dighton
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To: dighton; aculeus
She originally told deputies her name was Katina Shaddix and that she was 24.

Katina Shaddix - Robert Fisk. Rhymes, sorta', doesn't it?

27 posted on 05/11/2002 7:32:03 AM PDT by Orual
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To: gitmo
(sarcasm on)

Of course, the literal truth in this case is not important. It does not matter if this man did not do to her what she claims, as long as we know that it is true that some men somewhere have done these things to women. If he goes to prison for crimes that he did not commit, that is okay because many men have been let off scot- free throughout history for crimes against women.

(sarcasm off)

This is precisely the defense that intellectual elites put forth for the Rigoberto Menchu hoax.

28 posted on 05/11/2002 8:04:41 AM PDT by Montfort
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To: Montfort
Anyone got an update on the Denver lesbian who reported being beaten and slashed by a group of men? I live in Colorado and haven't heard a word.
29 posted on 05/11/2002 8:19:10 AM PDT by TONEMAN
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To: dighton;Orual
I know just the man for her.

I'm looking forward to the wedding.

Guests will throw stones, not rice.

30 posted on 05/11/2002 8:41:32 AM PDT by aculeus
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To: Risky Schemer
When the original story was posted a couple of us expressed some skepticism and thought the whole thing was fishy. Surprisingly (I guess) some of the posters thought it had to be true and were ready to send this guy to prison!
31 posted on 05/11/2002 8:41:52 AM PDT by Enterprise
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To: Windsong
Singlehood hasn't stopped a lot of females in Krapifornia from having their boyfriends arrested for domestic abuse.
32 posted on 05/11/2002 8:42:54 AM PDT by Enterprise
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To: Risky Schemer
I'm quite surprised the police even bothered to check out the validity of her story.

Where I live, they would just charge the boyfriend with whatever charges the woman's allegations would support, and leave it for him to hire a very expensive defense lawyer to defend himself, or pressure him to cop a plea to something he didn't do in order to avoid the risk of a biased jury ('cause you know people never get charged for a crime unless they did SOMETHING, right?) and jail time.

33 posted on 05/11/2002 8:48:21 AM PDT by Henrietta
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To: Risky Schemer
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those broads
That is why the lady is a tramp
34 posted on 05/11/2002 10:27:05 AM PDT by A. Morgan
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