'Even after everything he did, I didn't want him to kill himself'

By Associated Press Published: Dec 2, 2009 at 10:09 AM PST

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A 22-year-old Salem woman says she was able to talk her way out of a violent abduction by a suicidal ex-boyfriend by promising she'd stay with him and they'd be "Bonnie and Clyde."

The man fatally shot himself a short time later when he was confronted by a Marion County sheriff's deputy after the woman fled and called 911, sheriff's Lt. Sheila Lorance said Tuesday.

Brittany Caudle told deputies she went to the residence she had shared with 50-year-old Mickey Jarrell on Monday to pick up some belongings, believing he would not be there. She said he attacked and bound her with duct tape and zip ties, then eventually began driving her from Woodburn to The Dalles, Lorance said.

Along the way, Caudle said Jarrell confessed to several robberies at the Woodburn Outlet Mall. She eventually persuaded him to turn back to Salem, saying she would stay with him.

"I said 'You don't kill me, you untie me and we'll go back and do whatever you want, we'll be Bonnie and Clyde,' " Caudle told KGW.

During the drive, Caudle told deputies, Jarrell took a revolver from the driver's side floorboard, removed four bullets and gave them to her. He said he was keeping one round and would use it on himself if confronted by police.

Once they reached the Salem area, Caudle said she persuaded Jarrell to let her pick up her own car and follow him back to his house. Instead, she veered off and called for help.

After officers heard her story, a deputy headed to Jarrell's residence and found the man backing his vehicle out of the garage. Lorance said Jarrell got out, put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. Jarrell never pointed the gun at the deputy and the deputy did not fire, Lorance said.

Detectives are investigating the man's reported robbery claims.

Caudle was treated for her injuries at a nearby hospital.

"I cared about him so I didn't want him dead," she said. "Even after everything he did, I didn't want him to kill himself."

(Thanks to KGW, KPTV)