Big purse stops bullet from hitting Tenn. student

[November 11, 2008]  MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- Don't knock those trendy, oversized purses -- they could save your life, as one college student found out. Police say the contents in an oversized purse saved Elizabeth Pittenger, a 22-year-old Middle Tennessee State University student, by stopping a bullet during an attempted robbery.

Pittenger was walking to her car on campus Thursday evening when a man confronted her and demanded her purse, cell phone and laptop, university Police Chief Buddy Peaster said. She fought the man off, but he fired a gunshot before fleeing.

The bullet was found inside the purse, along with a calculator, umbrella and small case that had been punctured. Pittenger was not injured.

Police nearby heard the gunshot and arrested Orlando Edmiston, 20. Officers found a .38 caliber handgun beneath a parked van.

Edmiston was charged with attempted murder, attempted armed robbery and possession of a weapon on school property. He was being held at the Rutherford County jail on $32,500 bond.

No one answered Monday at offices for Edmiston's court-appointed attorneys.

[Associated Press]

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