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Title: Grandma Betty in the Slammer!
Source:
Inside Edition
URL Source: http://www.insideedition.com/oursto ... stories/story.aspx?storyid=182
Published: May 4, 2006
Author: Inside Edition Staff
Post Date: 2006-05-07 15:30:37 by Red Jones
Keywords: None
Views: 128
Comments: 20
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 5/4/2006 INSIDE EDITION talks to Grandma Betty about the frightening night she was arrested on her way home from the supermarket. Betty's husband, Byron accompanies her to the sheriff's department as Betty begins her sentence 10 nights in jail. Getting pulled over by the police late at night can be a very scary experience, especially if it's unclear whether those flashing lights belong to a real cop. Betty Golden, a 69-year-old grandmother of eight, says she followed the advice she had heard in news reports -- she acknowledged the police, but did not pull over till she thought it was safe. However, it's that same advice that got the grandmother into a heap of trouble. Not only was she pulled over, she was even charged with a crime! Betty talked with INSIDE EDITION senior correspondent, Matt Meagher. "I'm scared, just like I was scared the night that I was stopped," Betty says. Her nightmare began on this lonely road in Centerville, Ga., as she was driving home late at night from the supermarket. She saw blue lights flashing behind her, and heard a siren, but says she wasn't sure it was the real police. Betty had seen news stories about phony cops pulling people over - robbing, raping, and even killing them. She recalled the advice from those stories that said slow down, put on your emergency flashers, and look for a populated, well-lit area to pull over. Betty says that the dash cam video from the police cruiser that pulled her over shows she did just that. "They had to know I was not fleeing, you don't flee at ten miles under the speed limit with your emergency flashers on," a disbelieving Betty tells INSIDE EDITION. When another marked police car pulled next to her, she pulled over. But what Betty didn't realize was she was in for the shock of her life. "Get out of the car, open the door, unlock the door, open the door, open the door," yelled the police officer. With a gun pointed just inches from her head, Betty says she was so frightened and nervous that she had trouble opening the door. "Do not make me break the window and pull you out of the car," the policeman continued. Betty was terrified, and says, "He could tell I wasn't any danger to him, and I think how easily that officer could have shot me." Betty went to trial on her charges, and was convicted of fleeing and interference with a police officer because she didn't open the car door fast enough. Believe it or not she was found not guilty of the original charge of failure to maintain a lane, the reason she was pulled over in the first place. Betty has never before been arrested, and has never even gotten a ticket! Betty's mug shot and fingerprints were taken. She was sentenced to ten days in jail and one year probation. Distraught and tearful, Betty says, "I will have a police record to leave my grandchildren, and maybe nobody else would really understand that except a grandmother." For two years Betty and her husband, Byron, fought the charges and spent more than $25,000 on legal bills. But last month, all of her appeals were exhausted. Betty was ordered to report to jail for ten nights, though she was allowed to go home during the day. INSIDE EDITION was with her as she left her home for the seven-mile drive to the jail, right past the spot where she was arrested. As she made the short walk to the jail, her husband Byron says he wishes he could do more to help. "She's just a very good lady and she doesn't deserve this," Byron tells INSIDE EDITION. Byron even volunteered to stay 30 days instead of his wife, but the sheriff's department would not allow it. With a few more steps, Betty entered the sheriff's office to start her sentence. She enters with the support of family and the words of her son to give her strength: "Mom, you don't know how proud I am of you you've fought the fight. You stood up for your rights. You will get through this but remember, I am very proud of you." Betty finished her sentence this week but she's not done with the legal system, she still has to complete one year of probation.
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#1. To: All (#0)
she wasn't aware that the police are gods. she must pay the price.
Good lord.. and now she has a record to boot.. this is so assinine.
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
It's the darkside of It's a Wonderful Life.
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. – George Washington "If the president made us go to war with Iraq, why doesn't he go over there and fight the war?" Christian May [6th grader] And people doubt that the national guard will enforce martial law for no good reason! The cops and military are not to be trusted...too hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys as were these hidious freaks who arrested this poor woman. Too bad there is not public outrage and marches and prayer vigils on her behalf...woudn't that send a powerful message to the storm troopers with badges! Again, where are the churches? BTW, i change lanes as often as necessary like the Europeans...nothing wrong with that.
The Sheriff Let'er rip!
The new number is 770-619-6500. Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. – George Washington "If the president made us go to war with Iraq, why doesn't he go over there and fight the war?" Christian May [6th grader] Where was the people's outrage over Kristallnacht? The actions of the Cheka/OGPU/NKVD/KGB, in the Soviet Union? We have a police force that feels it is no longer there to serve and protect, but to rule? (And I fell bad for those cops who did not join the force to be bullies) The difference between them and the Mob? The Mob never had the force of Law.
The new number is 770-619-6500. The phone number is not for Centerville, GA. Betty Golden is not at the detention center at the phone number given.
LOL, but actually, the Mob did have a lot of police officers and politicians in their pocket, so in a way, they did have the force of law...for their own personal use, just like bushwhacko and bill o'lielly.
I was under the impression that if you believed you were being pulled over by someone who was not a police officer, you were to drive to a safe place. An unmarked car attempted to pull one of my friends over. He knew it was a cop, but ignored him and drove to were a bunch of people were. The cop was furious, but could do nothing. I don't understand how this happened.
"I aim to misbehave" -- Mal Reynolds, Firefly
http://www.womenslaw.org/GA/GA_sheriff.htm http://www.georgiasheriffs.org/express/EE/directory/main/P0/ Maybe this is it? Houston County Government: Investigations Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. – George Washington "If the president made us go to war with Iraq, why doesn't he go over there and fight the war?" Christian May [6th grader] They called in a second cruiser to force her over and stop. Sick 'roid-head effers.
What type of citizens were on this jury? This either should have been not guilty or a jury nulification.
I found another story about this from March 2005 Sorry for caps but that's how it is on their page. http://www.13wmaz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=12221 Eyewitness news at 6 story, Wednesday March 16, 2005 IT IS SOMETHING EVERYONE HATES TO SEE IN THEIR REARVIEW MIRROR.... BLUE FLASHING LIGHTS .... SIGNALING FOR YOU TO PULL OVER. IN THIS CASE .IT WAS BETTY GOLDEN.A 68 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER OF EIGHT. BETTY GOLDEN IS FACING TEN NIGHTS IN THE COUNTY JAIL PLUS A 15 HUNDRED DOLLAR FINE. VIDEO FROM CENTERVILLE POLICE OFFICER GREG PHILLIPS CAR SHOWS HIM TRYING TO PULL BETTY OVER FOR SWERVING. Betty Golden; I saw flashing blue lights...because there's no markings on the front of Centerville Police cars. WE SPOKE WITH SEVERAL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. ----------------------- "judgment call" by the police whether to persecute or no: Ex 23:2 Ex 23:6
Good thing she didn't have a colored plastic water pistol on the dash, she could have been shot much easier for such an offense. Locally we have a cop who shot and killed a drunk who had a lime green, yellow and red water pistol in his belt. The same cop later killed an addict fleeing the scene of a drug buy by having the gun discharge when he used it to break the glass of the driver's window in the door. (oops!) He claimed it was a mistake, he was exonerated of wrong both times. She is actually just merely lucky to be alive at this point.
Locally we have a cop who shot and killed a drunk who had a lime green, yellow and red water pistol in his belt. The same cop later killed an addict fleeing the scene of a drug buy by having the gun discharge when he used it to break the glass of the driver's window in the door. (oops!) He claimed it was a mistake, he was exonerated of wrong both times. She is actually just merely lucky to be alive at this point. OMG.. hadnt considered that.. Seems they've got nothing to fear any longer .. legally that is.. the police state and all that..
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
ping to menny's post. sound familiar?
I guess George Bailey wasn't saved in this reality.
She could consider it a badge of honor.
That was one of my first thoughts as well. How can these pathetic excuses for citizens sleep at night? Was the jury pool stacked with pro-police, jack-boot-licker types?
#2. To: Red Jones (#0)
For two years Betty and her husband, Byron, fought the charges and spent more than $25,000 on legal bills. But last month, all of her appeals were exhausted. Betty was ordered to report to jail for ten nights, though she was allowed to go home during the day.
#3. To: Red Jones (#0)
Betty had seen news stories about phony cops pulling people over - robbing, raping, and even killing them. She recalled the advice from those stories that said slow down, put on your emergency flashers, and look for a populated, well-lit area to pull over.
#4. To: robin (#3)
#5. To: Red Jones (#0)
#6. To: randge, fatidic (#5)
The main phone number for the Sheriff's Office and Detention Center has been changed.
#7. To: fatidic (#4)
#8. To: robin (#6)
The main phone number for the Sheriff's Office and Detention Center has been changed.
#9. To: The 7th MJS2U2 (#7)
he difference between them and the Mob? The Mob never had the force of Law.
#10. To: Red Jones (#0)
#11. To: fatidic, randge (#8)
Warner Robins, GA 31088
(478) 542-2085
#12. To: YertleTurtle (#10)
I don't understand how this happened.
#13. To: Red Jones (#0)
#14. To: Red Jones, all (#13)
FOR MOST PEOPLE THE STORY ENDS WITH A WARNING OR MAYBE A TRAFFIC TICKET... BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE.
A CENTERVILLE GRANDMOTHER NEVER DREAMED HER MIDNIGHT TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE WOULD END IN A JAIL SENTENCE.
MARY THERESE IS IN OUR WARNER ROBINS NEWSROOM WITH THE STORY OF A WOMAN WHO CAME HOME FROM A FAMILY VACATION AND STEPPED INTO A NIGHTMARE.
FRANK AND LORI
IT ALL STARTED WHEN BETTY GOLDEN DECIDED TO TAKE A LATE NIGHT TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM A VACATION....
IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT..... AND BETTY SAYS SHE WAS NERVOUS WHEN SHE SPOTTED BLUE LIGHTS IN HER MIRROR.....
WHAT SHE DID OR DIDN'T DO NEXT STARTED A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT COULD VERY WELL END WITH BETTY GOLDEN SERVING A JAIL SENTENCE.
Byron Golden, Betty's husband; I can't believe "that lady" may have to go to jail.
BETTY SAYS FEAR KEPT HER FROM STOPPING.
Betty Golden, Grandmother; I've read and seen on tv news people impersonating officers and being pulled over and raped or even killed.
BETTY SAYS SHE SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED ON HER EMERGENCY FLASHERS...ONCE SHE STOPPED... SHE SAYS THE SITUATION BECAME EVEN MORE FRIGHTENING...
(show cop drawing gun and yelling)
Betty Golden, Grandmother; It was absolutely terrifying if nobody's ever had a gun pulled and had it this far from their head with an officer screaming at the top of his voice "get out get out!"
THE OFFICERS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH EITHER...
POLICE CHIEF ERNIE PARDO SAYS THEY DID EVERYTHING BY THE BOOK.
Ernie Pardo, Police Chief; She has a right to pull into a well lit area and I reccomend that to any female that has any concerns but when you clearly have top lights and cars clearly marked it's a pretty good indication that's a police officer behind you.
TRUE...BUT THEN WE COULDN'T FIND ANY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CARS THAT ARE MARKED ON THE HOOD.
BETTY GOT THREE TICKETS..AND TOOK HER CASE TO COURT.
SHE WAS FOUND "NOT GUILTY" OF SWERVING.HER INITIAL VIOLATION.
BUT THE JURY FOUND HER GUILTY OF FLEEING AND OBSTRUCTION.
WE SPOKE WITH ONE JUROR WHO ASKED NOT TO GO ON CAMERA BUT THAT PERSON TELLS ME THE VERDICT CAME DOWN THE WAY IT DID FOR TWO REASONS:
MT in jury box; .one Mrs Golden did have an opportunity to stop at a well lit convenience store even though it was closed..number two, she did not get out of the car immediately when the Centerville Police Officer asked her to.
BETTY ENDED UP WITH A 10 DAY SENTENCE... SHE'S SCHEDULED TO START SERVING HER TIME APRIL 18TH.
Byron Golden, Betty's husband; I'm gonna stay out in the lobby all night at the jail and wait for her the next morning...I'm not gonna leave her down there by herself.
JUDGE BOB RICHARDSON WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE CASE PENDING APPEAL.
THE MINIMUM SENTENCE IS TEN NIGHTS IN JAIL PLUS A FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR FINE...
THE MAXIMUM COULD HAVE BEEN 12 MONTHS IN JAIL AND A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE PER OFFENSE.
THE JUDGE ALSO GAVE BETTY THE OPTION OF WEARING A HOME MONITORING ANKLE BRACELET FOR THIRTY DAYS RATHER THAN JAIL TIME.. .
BETTY STILL HAS TIME TO APPEAL TO A HIGHER COURT.
THANKS MARY THERESE.
THEY STRESSED ANYONE WHO FEELS SCARED WHEN SIGNALED TO PULL OVER "SHOULD" FIND AN IMMEDIATE WELL LIT PLACE.
THEY SAID IT IS ALSO A JUDGMENT CALL BY THE OFFICER WHETHER TO TICKET A DRIVER FOR THE DELAY IN STOPPING.
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
Ex 23:7
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
#15. To: Zipporah (#2)
#16. To: Ferret Mike (#15)
Good thing she didn't have a colored plastic water pistol on the dash, she could have been shot much easier for such an offense.
#17. To: mennyiben, Esso (#14)
#18. To: robin (#3)
It's the darkside of It's a Wonderful Life.
#19. To: Red Jones (#0)
"I will have a police record to leave my grandchildren, and maybe nobody else would really understand that except a grandmother."
#20. To: Kamala (#13)
What type of citizens were on this jury? This either should have been not guilty or a jury nulification.
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