There is still no resolution in the case of the Tennessee teacher who held nine teens at gunpoint in Tennessee. The incident involving ‘ghost hunting’ teens and high school teacher, Stacy Swallows, occurred September 5th at a cemetery near Chattanooga.

The teens stated that they read a ghost story related to the private family cemetery on the Internet, which involved a ghost called the “Pitty Pat Booger”. The teacher, Stacy Swallows, 45, who lives nearby, blocked the teens from exiting the cemetery with his car. He then held the group with an assault rifle until police arrived.

The incident sparked outrage among residents, dividing an entire community. Some residents were enraged over the actions of the teacher. Some residents said that Swallows did nothing wrong, and that the teens should be charged with trespassing. Cemetery owner, Bobby Cassidy, sided with Swallows. Cassidy said that Swallows was fully supported and “he had all the rights in the world to go down there.”

Swallows faces 19 counts of aggravated assault and false imprisonment.

General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon said at Swallows’ arraignment on November 17th, that both Swallows and the teens made errors in judgment. He added that the case “should have been settled here instead of drug on in the courts for years as it certainly will be.”

As far as the teens are concerned, Judge moon determined that the teens were not guilty of trespassing.

“The proof conclusively shows that none of these young people got out of their vehicles, did not step foot on the cemetery property, had no weapons, guns nor contraband and committed no criminal offenses. As a result, under Tennessee law, Mr. Swallows had no legal authority to make an arrest for an offense that was never committed in his presence or anywhere else. These young people had an absolute right to be on the public road where they were illegally stopped…The Tennessee General Assembly has substantially changed the old common rules of a citizen’s arrest. A citizen can only make an arrest for an offense committed in the citizen’s presence or when a citizen has a reasonable belief that a felony has or or is about to be committed – neither of which occurred in this case.”

Directing his comments to both parties involved, he added, “Nothing good happens in a cemetery after dark.”

According to court records online, Swallows’ next court date is scheduled for January 25, 2011.

————————————-

Read more of Cherlyn’s posts at her website.

My Ghost Story premiered earlier this summer on the Biography channel. The series features segments in which people tell their story of experiences with the paranormal. Narrated by the eyewitnesses themselves, an episode generally begins with the eyewitness saying: “My ghost story started when…”

Each story is backed by evidence captured by the eyewitness (video, film, photographs, EVPs, etc.). Some may share additional evidence of their claims, usually in the form of historical facts about the reportedly haunted location. The episodes feature re-enactments and eyewitness interviews. The show does not attempt to prove or debunk the cases.

Although some of these cases may have involved paranormal investigations, this show does not feature paranormal teams. The evidence featured on a show may have teen captured by a team, but the producers of the show keep the focus on the persons who directly experienced and lived with the activity. Paranormal teams can recommend to their clients that their story should be featured on the show.

The show airs on Saturday nights, which first captured my attention while channel surfing, and I do watch it regularly. It would be great to see an episode focused on one or more of the many experiences of Arizona residents.

To submit your evidence to the show, visit the program’s submission website. To watch the show, tune in on Saturday nights at 10/9 C.

—————————————————–

Copyright © 2010 Cherlyn Gardner Strong

Read more of Cherlyn’s posts as a contributor for Paranormal Utopia, or at Cherlyn’s Paranormal Old Pueblo website



The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado wants you to have “A Ghost Adventure”, and they are willing to throw a couple freebies into the deal.

If you book a room on the haunted 4th floor, in one of their Historic or Classic rooms, you will also receive a KII EMF meter upon check-in, which will be yours to keep. You’ll also receive a $15.00 food credit to use at The Steamers Café.

The deal applies to all Standard one to ten night stays on the 4th floor of the hotel. To take advantage of the offer, book your ‘Ghost Adventure’ with the Stanley Hotel.

Of course, you will also want to book your Stanley Hotel Historic Ghost Tour, at least a week or two before you plan to arrive. The tour is highly popular, and you will see many things, including the underground tunnel, as well as the room that Stephen King stayed in that inspired him to write The Shining.

If you aren’t interested in the Ghost Adventure package, the hotel offers many different specials on their website.