Sink Your Teeth Into This
Facts: On August 22, 2009, the Monroe County Sheriff’s office was bombarded with
calls from motorists reporting several girls hanging off the side of an overpass bridge
and flashing the traffic below.
These girls turned out to be the actresses from the CW series The Vampire Diaries. When officers
arrived, the girls were still at the bridge doing what they called a “photo shoot” for their show. A check of the camera of photographer Tyler Shields confirmed the “photo shoot” and also confirmed evidence of disorderly conduct. Numerous pictures revealed scenes of the girls straddling railings, hanging over the bridge, and simulating tossing each other over the bridge. These shots coincided with caller’s reports of “a girl holding another girl’s ankles and hanging her over the bridge.”
The four actresses (Nina Dobrev, Sara Canning, Kayla Ewell, and Candice Accola) along with
the photographer were arrested, booked, and charged with disorderly conduct. However,
charges were dropped once the young starlets each forfeited their cash bond of $500 to the county.
Rule: Generally speaking, “disorderly conduct” is an offense which disturbs public peace
and decency. In Georgia, disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor crime punishable by up
to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines. According to Ga. Code § 16-11-39, to be
found guilty of disorderly conduct, it must be proven that the person: (1) acted in a violent or
tumultuous manner towards another person that put them in fear of their safety, (2) acted in a
violent or tumultuous manner towards another person where their property was put in danger of
being damaged or destroyed, (3) without provocation, used “fighting words” or words known to
provoke a potential violent reaction, or (4) without provocation, used obscene or vulgar language
over the telephone to or in the presence of a child under the age of 14.
Analysis: Yes, the state of Georgia was right in charging these girls with disorderly
conduct. Not only did their actions disturb the peace, they created a reported traffic jam
and safety hazard as well. If motorists felt that someone was truly being thrown off the
bridge, or was afraid that someone was going to fall into oncoming traffic, they had a
genuine fear of their safety and/or their property being damaged by the fall or an ensuing
wreck, fulfilling both Ga. Code § 16-11-39 (1) and Ga. Code § 16-11-39 (2).
Opinion: What kind of message are these stars sending to teenagers who look up to them
as role models? That crazy photo stunts are cool or that flashing people will get them
attention? Shouldn’t they have more respect for themselves and encourage their fans to
do the same? How would they feel if those topless pictures were posted online for everyone
to see – including their employers, families, and friends? How do you explain that, just
harmless fun? It would not have been so harmless if someone would have gotten into an
accident and had been injured or worse - killed. And it won’t be so fun explaining it for
the rest of their lives either because once it is online it’s preserved forever. It has been
over a year since this incident took place and people are still referencing it. Don’t let
that be you. Be remembered for your talent, not from your shock-factor and bra-size.
They did not deserved to be charged. They did not flash anyone. It was a disgrace that these girls were arrested at all.
Reply to this
People were talking about it because it was absurd. If it wasn't a publicity stunt, the police went overboard in charging these girls with any crime. According to the report, there was only one call to 911 and police did not see any flashing. The photographer denied any wrong doing. Of all the arrests that make me question police integrity, this is the biggest one in my opinion. These girls did not deserve to be arrested.
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You might want to get your facts straight before you rip the girls. First, like the other poster said, their is a lot of evidence that it was only a publicity stunt set up to draw ratings to the show. However, according to the police report, if real, the cops saw nothing to arrest the girls for. Furthermore, many of the articles written are false. As lawyers, you should know the difference between being accused of a crime and being convicted of one. These girls were not convicted of anything because the charges were fake or false. Ms. Sanders may want to stop taking her legal advice from TMZ and look at the facts first.
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Your attention, KT while appreciate, is I believe, somewhat misguided. In fact , your 2nd sentence speaks directly to Ms. Sanders' point... "First, like the other poster said, their is a lot of evidence that it was only a publicity stunt set up to draw ratings to the show. "
Just as you can't yell fire in a crowded theater; and I can't sock you in the jaw just to draw the attention (or favorable rating) of a girl I'd like to attract; these are criminal acts, that can't be written off like a biz lunch, just because, as you state "it was only a publicity stunt set up to draw ratings to the show." This only flies if they're on the production lot. Further, Ms. Sanders does not mention a conviction in the article... Please PINPOINT any other factual discrepancies you pretend to see.
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