Bob
19th May 2007, 23:18
Donna Olsen, 47, of San Jose, California strung a taut rope across the road in order to injure a biker she claimed had nearly hit her daughter. Instead, she caught her neighbour, Robert Barnes as he rode with friends. Barnes was thrown 30 feet from his bike by the impact, which left him needing 500 stitches, emergency dental work and titanium plates in his skull.
Two men, Olsen's neighbour, Donald Bryant, 63 and her long-time partner Edward Anderson were also charged. Anderson was acquitted but Bryant was convicted. In a bizarre twist, none of the three would admit to stringing up the rope, all accusing the others.
Olsen apologised to Barnes, saying she did not think it was him that almost injured her daughter and claimed she was trying to take down the rope when Barnes struck it.
Olsen was sentenced to five years imprisonment for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and an enhancement for personally using a dangerous weapon.
Two men, Olsen's neighbour, Donald Bryant, 63 and her long-time partner Edward Anderson were also charged. Anderson was acquitted but Bryant was convicted. In a bizarre twist, none of the three would admit to stringing up the rope, all accusing the others.
Olsen apologised to Barnes, saying she did not think it was him that almost injured her daughter and claimed she was trying to take down the rope when Barnes struck it.
Olsen was sentenced to five years imprisonment for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and an enhancement for personally using a dangerous weapon.