Trial ordered in assault case linked to Internet
Greg Moran
STAFF WRITER
22-Jun-1999 Tuesday
VISTA -- An Oregon man accused of assaulting a
43-year-old Vista woman he
met online was ordered to stand trial yesterday on charges of attempted
murder, torture and mayhem.
If convicted, Thomas William Abney, 30, could face a lifetime
in prison in
connection with the May 12 incident.
According to authorities, Abney and the woman met in early April via an
Internet chat room and struck up an electronic friendship. The woman
invited Abney to stay with her in Vista on May 7, and the two got along
without any problems that weekend, prosecutor Christine Trevino has said.
But just as Abney was about to leave for the airport, he suddenly attacked
the woman, authorities said. He choked her into unconsciousness after he
threw her on the bed, and when she came to, he choked her a second time,
authorities say.
When she awoke a second time, authorities said, Abney attacked her with a
claw hammer, hitting her on the head so hard she suffered a concussion. He
then took her car keys and fled.
The woman was able to call 911 and report the attack. She told authorities
the man's flight number and destination.
Harbor police took Abney off the plane, which was bound for Oregon, and
arrested him.
Abney, who lives in Newberg, Ore., remains in jail with no bail.