NYT:Atlanta Hostage's ( checkered) Past May Have Helped Win Captor's Trust

[DeepModem Mom]

Hostage's Past May Have Helped Win Captor's Trust
By SHAILA DEWAN and LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Published: March 16, 2005


ATLANTA, March 15 - When a fugitive accused of courthouse killings jabbed a gun at Elizabeth Ashley Smith, forced her inside her apartment and bound her in the bathtub, she did what she said her religious faith had taught her to do. She talked with him as one hurting soul to another.

Now, with the fugitive having surrendered at Ms. Smith's urging, her story has become an instant classic of sin, redemption and grace.

That Ms. Smith was herself trying to overcome a checkered past only enhanced her status as an inspirational heroine, in particular for people who have embraced her story as a testimony to religious faith.

Ms. Smith - whose encounter with the fugitive, Brian Nichols, began after a 2 a.m. trip for cigarettes - has a record of petty crimes, and her husband died in her arms after a knife fight. Such grit may have helped her win Mr. Nichols's trust....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/16/national/16ashley.html

[burythehatchet]

1. I'll come out and say it

Her story is complete bullshit. I felt that from the first 5 minutes she was on the air.

Now someone please attack me for persecuting christians.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3270867

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Sorry. No attack. I'm with you.

All the RW Fundies are going to start parading her around on a float in a parade as a shining example of what true "faith" can accomplish....until the real truth comes out. Then, of course, they will say that they were taken in as much as the rest of the faithful. :puke:

[donsu]

3. I think sex entered the picture

nt

[Binka]

4. I Think Sex Entered More Than The Picture

nt

[Chelsea Patriot]

14. Exactly! Pancakes, My Ass!

[Ian David]

16. They got the munchies? Was there sex, or were they smoking pot?

[AlCzervik]

8. do mean that she did him will he was at her place?

[donsu]

9. did each other - you know, last fuck before turning himself in

nt

[AlCzervik]

10. What makes you think that?, Not flaming, just curious

because i wonder what the fundies would think if thats truw and it were to come out.

[donsu]

15. listening and watching her tell the story

she would say things like "and then" and she would stop, move around and scratch the same spot on the back of her head.

about the 3rd time she paused, scratching like that I thought to myself, 'and then we had sex'. and then her way of speaking seemed like she was using the best english she knew, because sometimes, neighborhood english and way of talking popped out.

that's just two reasons.

[AnnInLa]

5. Was VERY surprised to hear Bo Dietl say on Imus this morning

that he finds her story suspicious, and will begin investigating it immediately. I had to laugh, because he is such a laughable character, but then I wondered if he was serious....investigate something that happened in GA, when he is licensed in NY? Can that be done? Does he have operatives in GA? Oh well...I think he was serious.

[LisaL]

6. He is a character, o'key.

[AlCzervik]

7. Old Bo worked for O'lielly investigating the woman that sued him.

[napi21]

11. I dunno, I think she is telling the truth.

All you MEN have to remember that most women tend to try to talk their way out of a situation instead of fighting. I guess I believe the religion part because she had the bible and the other religious book there in her bedroom. I doubt they were there for decoration.

Wether you believe her or not, she did a good thing. Noone elase died, and the perp is in custody. Why can't you leave her alone?

[CatWoman]

12. Governor just gave her $10,000

Woman who helped nab suspect set to mend life

By MICHELLE HISKEY, S.A. REID
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/16/05

The third day of Ashley Smith's dramatically changed life brought the promise of at least part of the $60,000 offered for what she did Saturday: lead law enforcement to the capture of Brian G. Nichols, who allegedly shot four people, held her hostage at her apartment in Duluth then let her go.

Gov. Sonny Perdue has asked the state's Office of Personnel and Budget to cut a $10,000 check for Smith.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/atlanta/0305/16courtashley.html

[leetrisck]

13. Nothing under 40 yrs of age

counts anyway - just ask bush.