ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611060068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ABINGDON
SOURCE: Associated Press
A former police officer will not be prosecuted for allegedly abducting his girlfriend at gunpoint nine months ago because he married the woman and she now refuses to testify against him.
``We don't have a choice,'' Commonwealth's Attorney Dennis Godfrey said, explaining his decision not to prosecute William Stephens, 43. ``She is refusing to testify, and we cannot compel her to testify.''
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jeff Coale said Katherine E. Thomas is the only witness to any crime.
``There's no evidence without her,'' he said.
Stephens and Thomas were married Saturday in Sullivan County, Tenn., according to information on their marriage license. Prosecutors obtained a copy of the document Monday.
Stephens was arrested on charges of abducting Thomas from a Bristol restaurant Feb. 16. He then took her to his Abingdon trailer, where he allegedly handcuffed and threatened her with a pistol and a syringe, which he told her contained AIDS-contaminated blood.
Thomas told authorities Stephens released her after accidentally shooting himself in the foot.
He was indicted in April on abduction and firearm charges, but the indictments were quashed a month later on a motion by his attorney.
Stephens was reindicted in July on state charges.
Stephens reportedly has more than a decade of law-enforcement experience, including work as a Kentucky state trooper before his employment as a patrolman in Wise. Wise police said he last worked there about five years ago.
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