Monday, January 10th, 2011

UPDATE 11/2: Disgraced Former WABC Meteorologist Heidi Jones Sentenced For Central Park Rape Hoax

The WABC-TV meteorologist who cried rape in November admitted to fabricating the story, according to court documents via The New York Post.

Heidi Jones, the weather reporter who filled in for Sam Champion and has appeared on Good Morning America, filed a police report on November 24th alleging that a Hispanic man in his 30′s attacked her while she was jogging in Central Park in September and attempted to rape her.  Police became skeptical of Jones’ story when they found inconsistencies, and three weeks ago, she told a detective at a Manhattan precinct that she made the story up.

“I made it up for attention,” Jones said according to court documents, “I have so much stress at work, with my personal life, and with my family.  I know there is no justification for it.”

Jones appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court last Wednesday for her first appearance to answer to the charges, arriving with her lawyer.  Jones’ lawyer, Paul Callan, promises to vigorously contest the admissibility of the statements, including the admission that the story was made up, which was allegedly recorded after she was picked up on December 13th after midnight from her job at Channel 7 studios.

Jones faces up to a year in jail and $1,000 fine as a punishment for lying about the story, in addition to her current suspension from WABC-TV.

Filed under: Central Park, Crime, Manhattan, New York City, News, NYC, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog, UWS 2 Comments »
Tags: Attempted Rape, Central Park Rape, Heidi Jones, Lies, Lying, Manhattan Criminal Court, Meteorologist, Rape, WABC, WABC-TV, Weather Person