Looks like a Hoover judge has found Carlee Russell guilty of faking her abduction during the summer.
Russell pleaded not guilty to the charges, but municipal Judge Brad Bishop found her guilty based on the recommendation of state prosecutors. According to AL.com, Bishop recommended one year in jail and $17,874 in restitution. He also recommended two fines of $831 each. According to the report, “In municipal court, there is no jury trial. The constitution allows anyone who faces jail time to have their case heard and decided by a jury of their peers.”
Russell, represented by attorneys Emory Anthony and Richard Jaffe will reportedly appeal the decision to the circuit court. Anthony said following Wednesday’s hearing they are appealing the verdict because state prosecutors want Russell to serve jail time. “There’s no need of having a trial here, knowing their position,’’ Anthony said. “We have stipulated and appealed the case and it will star anew in the Bessemer Circuit Court.”
Anthony continued to say that he does not agree with the decision to give someone jail time for two class A misdemeanors.
“If you can find where someone was put in jail for that, bring the file to me and I’ll look at it,’’ he said. “Generally, they’re not put in jail.”
“Restitution, we don’t disagree with that, but to lock her up and put her in jail, we disagree,’’ he said.
The report also continued to explain how Russell seemed to be extremely nervous while standing in front of the judge.
“Nervous is anyone that goes before a judge,’’ Anthony said. “I think she understands what has happened. She has apologized.”
“I don’t want her to have a break down,’’ he said. “So, we’re handling her with kit gloves and making sure her mental state is just fine.” When asked why she did it, Anthony said that’s something that will eventually come to light.
“We’re dealing with issues with Carlee, and we want the best for Carlee,’’ Anthony said. “We realize a mistake was made but we don’t want to just pile on right now.”
As we previously reported, Russell admitted that the kidnapping was all a lie. Her attorney released the statement on her behalf which said, “My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf. There was no kidnapping on Thursday July 13, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help with this incident and this was a single act done by herself.”
In the photo with Carlee in the black sequined dress, look at the position of her right arm. It looks like the left hand because the fingers are in the wrong position. The first digit is her pinkie, not her thumb.
Emory Anthony is setting the stage for an appeal based on a fragile mental state, and will say she isn’t stable enough to serve time. He says they are handling her with “kit (sic) gloves,” and saying they don’t want her to have a breakdown.
The girl has been spoiled and treated like a princess her entire life. I can just imagine what she’s thinking right now. She is the epitome of a black “Karen,” but with more wigs. 🤣