On Mon, 07 Nov 2005 20:41:26 -0500, Harry Krause wrote:

We need much more of this kind of news:

Cheerleader case captivates fans worldwide

It seems everyone wants to know about the arrest early Sunday of
two Carolina Panthers Topcats.

By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER, Times Staff Writer
Published November 7, 2005
St. Pete Times

TAMPA - Howard Stern wanted the two Carolina Panthers cheerleaders for
an interview. Penthouse wanted them to pose.

Even British tabloid reporters called the Tampa Police Department's
public information office, where phones on Monday rang and rang.

"I can't breathe," said Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy. "I can't
believe there are so many newspapers in North Carolina. Alcohol, sex and
cheerleaders are apparently the ingredients for a hot story, because I
am getting flooded with calls."

It seems everyone wants to know about the arrest early Sunday of two
Carolina Panthers Topcats.

Renee Thomas, 20, and Angela Keathley, 26, allegedly had sex together in
a Channelside nightclub bathroom, then stirred up a ruckus with women
who were waiting in line for a stall.

Police say the confrontation ended in a punch that landed the two tipsy
pom-pom girls behind bars.

Initial reports, released Sunday, offered scant detail. Police weren't
even sure about the name of one cheerleader. Monday, details emerged,
just in time for the gawkers.

The official police account, tempered for public consumption:

At 2:10 a.m. Sunday, several women were standing in line for the
bathroom at Banana Joe's, a Channelside nightclub. It was "clearly
visible" to some of the women in line that in one stall, Thomas and
Keathley were "engaged in a sexual act," said McElroy.

The women in line grew impatient.

"They started to make a commotion," McElroy said. "They were saying,
"Hey, that's not appropriate here. We need to use the bathroom. Come on
out."'

Thomas and Keathley finally emerged several minutes later and started
arguing with the other women, McElroy said.

That's when Thomas punched Melissa Holden, 26, of Lutz in the left eye,
according to police.

Police arrested the cheerleaders. McElroy said they were "so intoxicated
they could barely stand up."

Thomas, blond and blue-eyed and not of drinking age, was carrying a
driver's license for Kristin Owen, a fellow TopCat who has brown hair
and darker eyes.

Police later confirmed Thomas' true identity, and learned that Owen was
nowhere near Florida.

"Depending on what we find out, Renee Thomas could be charged with ID
theft or possession of a fake ID," McElroy said.

For now, Thomas is charged with giving a false name and causing harm to
another, a third-degree felony.

"The true owner of that name is sitting at home minding her own business
when all of a sudden, her name is connected to sexual activity and
criminal activity, and on a national level," McElroy said.

Thomas posted $500 bail and was released at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Keathley was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest
without violence, misdemeanors, jail records show. She posted $750 bail
and was released at noon Sunday.

The Panthers Web site crashed repeatedly Monday as the curious tried to
learn more about the two cheerleaders.

The persistent found Thomas' mantra:

"Live every moment to the fullest and love like you'll never be hurt."

Good night, Harry.
--
John H

"It's *not* a baby kicking, bride of mine, it's just a fetus!"

Hypocrital Liberal