Police: 'Inconsistencies' In Story Of Politically Motivated Attack - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh
Quote:
Police: 'Inconsistencies' In Story Of Politically Motivated Attack
Woman Robbed With Knife At Bloomfield ATM
POSTED: 4:03 pm EDT October 23, 2008
UPDATED: 9:18 am EDT October 24, 2008
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh police are still questioning a 20-year-old woman who said she was robbed and assaulted at an ATM in Bloomfield because of her political views.
Ashley Todd, of College Station, Texas, said she was using an ATM at Liberty Avenue and Pearl Street just before 9 p.m. Wednesday when a man approached her and put a knife to her throat.
Police spokeswoman Diane Richard said the robber took $60 from Todd, then became angry when he saw a McCain bumper sticker on the victim's car. The attacker then punched and kicked the victim, before using a dull knife to scratch the letter "B" into her face, Richard said.
"She further stated that the male actor approached her from the back again and hit her in the back of her head with an object, she doesn't know what the object was, causing her to fall to the ground where he continued to punch her and kick her and threaten to 'teach her a lesson' for being a McCain supporter," Richard said.
Richard said the woman refused medical treatment after the assault, which happened outside the view of the bank's surveillance cameras.
Speaking to Channel 4 Action News on Friday, Richard said they're still questioning Todd because of some new developments.
"We have learned that the victim's statement has a few inconsistencies in it and her statement has changed," said Richard
Richard said Todd now says she isn't sure if it was a bumper sticker on her car or a campaign button on her jacket that angered the attacker. Richard said Todd added new details to the attack, saying at one point she lost consciousness.
"She also indicated she was sexually assaulted as well. She indicated that when he had her on the ground he put his hand up her blouse and started fondling her. But other than that, she says she doesn't remember anything else. So we're adding a sexual assault to this as well," Richard said.
The robber is described as a dark-skinned black man, 6 feet 4 inches tall, 200 pounds with a medium build, short black hair and brown eyes. The man was wearing dark colored jeans, a black undershirt and black shoes.
New Video:Raw Interview: Police Spokeswoman Talks to WTAE
The Obama-Biden campaign released a statement, commenting on the attack. The statement said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery, and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice."
The McCain-Palin campaign also released a statement saying, "The McCain campaign is aware of the incident involving one of its volunteers. Out of respect, the campaign won't be commenting. The campaign also confirms that Senator McCain and Governor Palin have both spoken to the woman."
|
Does this story seem plausible or odd? I do'nt want to say it sounds like someone is looking for fame bc i'll feel like shit if it turns out she was assaulted, but there are enough inconsistencies that the PD is currently administering a lie detector evaluation.
i just have a hard time with stories like these bc i've known crazy peopel who would mug someone, then see something and fly off the deep end and i've known crazy people who would mutilate themselves if it furthered their cause...
i'm a bit conflicted, but i do'nt know how many people walk around with knives dull enough to NOT break the skin or hte care necessary to 'carve' something like that in someone's face w/out causing much if any bleeding. i'm not 6'4, but i know i can do more damage with a random stick on the ground vs a metal blade.
Anyway, if this thread needs to be moved, please do so, i just felt it belonged in politics bc it's either a dem or republican nutjob, depending on which way you lean for the story.