By Benton Smith
The Times-News
TWIN FALLS — A woman who held a knife to a fellow bus passenger’s throat has been sentenced to probation.
Suzanne Joyce Griffin, 57, of Norcross, Ga., was sentenced to two to five years in prison Monday afternoon in Twin Falls District Court but District Judge Randy Stoker suspended the sentence in favor of two years probation.
Griffin was arrested March 8 and charged with aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon and evidence destruction, alteration or concealment after police said she held a knife to the throat of a fellow passenger sitting in front of her on a Greyhound bus.
“This is a bizarre case,” Stoker said. “Just a bizarre case.”
About 5:15 p.m. March 8, police were called to the Twin Falls Greyhound bus stop, 1390 Blue Lakes Blvd. N., for a report of a threat.
In the police report Griffin told police she was heading to Oregon from Georgia and had been on the bus for about a week.
“She claimed she was very tired, hungry and dehydrated,” the report said. “Griffin admitted she was having a bad week because of the long trip.”
Police reported seeing red scratch marks on the woman’s throat who had the knife drawn on her.
Prosecuting attorney Rosemary Emory recommended that Griffin be denied access to buses as part of her probation.
“The defendant should not ride Greyhounds or a public bus,” Emory said.
Griffin’s defense attorney Ben Andersen said that taking away her rights to public transportation would unfairly limit her.
“Your honor, we would ask that she be allowed to ride the bus in case of need for employment or education purposes,” Anderson said.
Griffin has been staying in a rehabilitation home in Twin Falls called Victory Home and may be allowed to continue there while on probation depending on what her probation officers allow. Griffin will also be allowed to continue riding the bus.
“I will not take away your right to travel,” Stoker said.