Bride says wedding night arrest was humiliating

[March 23, 2009]  HOUSTON (AP) -- A woman who claims she was humiliated on her wedding night because she had to spend it in jail in her wedding gown has filed a complaint with Texas authorities.

Jade Puckett, 26, filed the complaint midweek over a picture taken while she was in a courtroom in her wedding dress.

"It had turned the best day of my life into my greatest nightmare," she said in the complaint.

She and Billy Puckett, also 26, were arrested following their March 14 reception as part of a Harris County sweep targeting drunken drivers.

Billy Puckett was charged with driving while intoxicated. Officers said his new wife was charged with public intoxication after she became belligerent.

She said she was then kept in a cell overnight -- still in her wedding dress -- with 15 or 20 other arrested women. She said male deputies at least three times opened the cell door to point her out to other jailers.

"The male guards seemed to be enjoying themselves," she said.

Sheriff's Maj. Fred Brown told the Houston Chronicle in Saturday's editions authorities would review jail videos to see if Puckett's complaints were valid. She has not filed a formal complaint with the sheriff's office; the complaint was filed with the county constable's office.

Joe Gutheinz, an attorney for the couple, told The Associated Press he planned to file a complaint with the Justice Department.

On Sunday, Puckett pleaded guilty to the public intoxication charge in exchange for time served -- her night in jail. Her husband, whose family posted bail to have him released, pleaded no contest and received a year's probation, a $300 fine and community service.

Puckett does not know the identity of the person who took her picture.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.