Plus Pages

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Heidi Jones Could Go Free

Ex-WABC weather anchor accused of false rape claim
nydailynews photo

A former NYC TV weathercaster charged with making false rape claims could go free after prosecutors admitted Wednesday that she was questioned by cops without being read her rights, according to a story by Melissa Grace at nydailynews.com.

One-time WABC-TV forecaster Heidi Jones had claimed she was assaulted by a mysterious "Hispanic" man in Central Park last fall.

But when a massive manhunt came up empty, she made damning statements admitting she'd lied under grilling by cops, officials said.

Jones' lawyer is now challenging the admissability of the statements since they were taken without her being made aware of her rights.

"The District Attorney has now confirmed no Miranda warnings were ever given to Heidi Jones," defense lawyer Paul Callan said.

Manhattan prosecutors admit in legal papers that Jones was never read the Miranda warning, but insist it's a non-issue because she was not under arrest.

Prosecutors also said the statements were given "in the context of a criminal investigation she initiated."

A Manhattan Criminal Court judge ordered further hearings on whether Jones' rights were violated.

Read More.

No comments:

Post a Comment