Girlfriend tells police she framed UA employee accused of voyeurism ! Churchwell also admits to hitting boyfriend in head with shovel
Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2008
A University of Arkansas employee will likely be cleared of criminal charges involving video voyeurism after his girlfriend admitted Thursday to filing a false police report.
Lela Ann Churchwell, 29, of 3204 W. Woodfield Way in Fayetteville was arrested on felony charges of video voyeurism, filing a false police report, attempted theft of property and second-degree battery.
Police initially arrested Kevin D. Robinson, 34, on felony charges of video voyeurism and possession or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child. He was accused of sticking a mirror beneath a bathroom door on Oct. 6 and using a camera to videotape a 16-year-old girl taking a shower.
Robinson, who works as a system programmer for the UA’s information technology services department, denied the allegations during an interview with investigators. He also produced an e-mail sent to him from Churchwell on Oct. 21 in which she admitted to being a “ pathological liar” and setting him up. She told Robinson she was jealous of his close relationship with the victim.
During two separate interviews with police on Wednesday and Thursday, Churchwell allegedly confessed to filing a false police report against Robinson. She further admitted to setting up the camera and recording the victim herself.
Churchwell said she staged a fight with Robinson in front of the victim and two juvenile witnesses on Oct. 12, during which she blamed him for taping the victim in the shower. According to the report, the fight was staged to convince the victim that Robinson had recorded nude images of her. Churchwell admitted she hit Robinson over the head with a shovel three or four times during the disturbance. She stated Robinson fell to the ground “ like a rag doll ” after the third blow.
Fayetteville police responded to the disturbance but were unable to locate Robinson. Churchwell was arrested at the scene for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. She initially told police the disturbance was a result of Robinson recording the victim in the shower but later recanted her story after admitting to filing a false police report.
Churchwell told police she framed Robinson because she believed she was pregnant with another man’s baby. She said she planned to use the nude images of the victim to blackmail Robinson into moving out so she could continue living in his house with the victim and two juveniles while he paid the mortgage. Once the allegations became public, Churchwell said her plan was no longer feasible. She told police she began to feel guilty for setting Robinson up, prompting her confession to police.
Fayetteville Police Det. Andy Higdon said charges against Robinson will likely be dropped.
“ They haven’t been dropped as of right now, ” he said Friday afternoon. “ We still want to speak with [the victim ] before we quash all the charges. His arraignment is set for Dec. 8. ”
Churchwell was arrested and taken to the Washington County Detention Center where she was being held Friday on a $ 5, 000 bond. She is expected to appear in Washington County Circuit Court on Dec. 12.
Robinson was released from the detention center on Wednesday.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
