McCain backer released from Pa. jail

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A McCain-Palin supporter who admitted making up a story of being assaulted for her politics was released Thursday from jail in Pittsburgh.

Ashley Todd, 20, of College Park, Texas, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. She was released late Thursday KDKA reported.

Todd agreed to undergo psychiatric counseling and was expected to enter a first-time offender program that could allow her to end up with no criminal record, the newspaper said.

"We just wanted to make sure she isn't a danger to herself or anyone else," Deputy District Attorney Chris Avetta said.

Todd was charged with filing a false police report after telling investigators a man assaulted her and carved a backward B on her right cheek Oct. 22 because he was angered by a McCain bumper sticker on her car.

Pittsburgh Assistant Police Chief Maurita Bryant said Friday Todd admitted after lengthy questioning she had lied about the attack.

"She is stating that she was in her vehicle driving around, and she came up with this idea," Bryant said. "She said she has prior mental problems and doesn't know how the backward letter 'B' got on her face."