18 JAN 06: FROM VICTORY TO DEFEAT
Columbus area law officers got their men Tuesday. Two escaped murder suspects from Russell County were captured at a Victory Drive motel. In this case, the checkout time was about 10:00 a.m. - and was strictly enforced.
Authorities say a tip from the street led them to the Georgian Motel on Victory Drive - one of those old-fashioned small motels where you wouldn't expect the customers to even leave a tip for the maid.
A manager at the Georgian Motel said a woman in her 50's checked in accused murderers Johnny Jones and Lamar Benton Saturday afternoon, and paid for a three-night stay. So they were about to wear out their welcome Tuesday, anyway -- and even worse, they might have to look for a place at the Baker Village Apartments nearby.
A Russell County Sheriff's officer says Lamar Benton and Johnny Jones surrendered peacefully, when authorities stormed into their motel room. The suspects reportedly had no weapons - but did have pizza and playing cards. The simple pleasures of freedom can be the most satisfying....
The escapees were hurried before a Muscogee County Judge, where they signed papers allowing them to be returned to Alabama. Don't you wonder why they didn't try to fight extradition, and stay in Columbus? After all, the Muscogee County Jail is closer to many more restaurants.
A CNN news crew was waiting for the escapees, when they arrived at the Russell County Jail. If these guys had remained on the loose a few more hours, Nancy Grace may have come down from Atlanta and called them names.
Lamar Benton and Johnny Jones were awaiting trial in separate murder cases. Now they face escape charges as well - and it's really hard to plead "not guilty" when you're caught in a room with maid service.
Lamar Benton and Johnny Jones were kept Tuesday night in solitary confinement areas of the Russell County Jail. They're being kept away from other prisoners - in case the escapees were able to watch "Prison Break" in their motel room, and take notes on it.
Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell admits his jail is overcrowded. But he says that was NOT the reason for three accused killers getting out early Saturday. Since guards were overpowered, perhaps the reason lies in an exercise room that's too good.
Sheriff Tommy Boswell says he's making personnel changes, in the wake of the weekend jailbreak. He urged Russell County residents Tuesday to give him confidence to make those changes. Did he mean ONE resident in particular - and why would Probate Judge Al Howard snoop around in this?
One unsettled question from Tuesday's capture is who helped the escapees get a motel room for three days. The woman who paid for the room listed an address near St. Francis Hospital, which turned out to be a business. Hmmmm - it might be an employee who considers the business a bedroom, and sleeps on the job.
While that search continues, at least this story ends with two pieces of good news. For one thing, wanted men are back behind bars. For another thing, David Copperfield could perform his disappearing acts at the RiverCenter Tuesday night without facing police questioning.
THE BIG BLOG QUESTION concluded Tuesday night, and found most of you are NOT impressed by the proposed one-percent sales tax for both city and school projects. Six out of seven voters were against it - proving again the only "split" many people like involves bananas and ice cream.
One comment left in our week-long poll suggested Columbus voters won't be willing to approve sales tax questions until the property tax freeze ends. Are THAT many people in the city living in apartments and rental houses? Or is this an aspect of global warming that scientists haven't considered?
"I voted for a one cent sales tax in 1998," wrote another comment-maker in our poll, "and look where it got me." Trouble is, the writer wasn't more specific -- so it might have given her a fuel-efficient car, to commute to Columbus from Harris County.
Even without a split sales tax, Columbus is finding money for projects in other places. A two million dollar state grant was announced Tuesday, to connect two areas of the Riverwalk downtown. This way, joggers like me won't be tempted to climb the steps at 12th Street anymore - and get our sweat all over River Club members.
Now for other news and notes from what one person called a "nasty" Tuesday:
+ Detailed plans were unveiled for the new National Infantry Museum. WRBL reported it will have Georgia's "first IMAX theater outside Atlanta." Obviously this museum's board doesn't have any members from the Space Science Center....
+ Opelika's City Council considered a proposal to ban smoking in most public places. Is this a good idea, in a place which claims to be a railroad town? Those old steamy locomotives might never come back.
+ Randolph-Clay High School set a Georgia record, as the boys' basketball team won its 77th game in a row. Amazing! This streak has lasted longer than Kenny Chesney's marriage to Renee Zellwiger - and now it's gaining on Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson.
+ Instant Message to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin: Thanks for making me do some serious thinking. If your city is going to be "chocolate," I think Columbus could be described as a "rocky road."
(BLOG BLAH BLAH: What flavor best describes Columbus, or nearby cities? Let us know - as we may be on to something here.)
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