Hostage Situation Ends Peacefully

A man and woman took their lawyer hostage on Monday. The man had some legal difficulties that did not go his way. In an effort to get a new trial they took the decision to force the issue by taking the lawyer hostage with the threat of using explosives. This reaction may hold clues to why the man has legal difficulties.

The situation came to a peaceful conclusion Tuesday morning when a negotiator convinced the couple to surrender. It is rumored the negotiator simply explained that nobody really cares about lawyers.

A quiet holiday became anything but when a man and a woman took their former attorney hostage about 9am. Georgia State Patrol, Statesboro police and the SWAT team have cordoned off downtown Statesboro all day.

The office of Zettler, Hostilo and Register, where authorities are focusing their efforts, sits on Courtland Street just across from the county courthouse.

"Law enforcement has established contact with the two individuals involved, who are Roger Eugene Brower, age 43, and a female," said Statesboro city manager George Wood at a news conference this afternoon. "There were originally three hostages. Two of those have been released unharmed earlier this morning."

According to police, Brower claims a court case didn't go his way, so he took Michael Hostilo hostage to get the matter fixed, and said he had explosives to get what he wanted.