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◼ 'I was terrified': Ex-wife takes stand against alleged, would-be Fortuna abductor
The ex-wife of a Hydesville man who held police in a standoff in Fortuna last month began her emotional testimony at his preliminary hearing Friday, describing in detail how the situation unfolded.

Vernon Franklin Curteman Jr., 50, sat in the courtroom as his ex-wife and a Fortuna Police Department officer took the witness stand.

His ex-wife described Curteman as being “in a rage” when he exited her car where he was allegedly lying in wait the morning of Aug. 26. She said she initially noticed something was wrong when she put her coffee in the vehicle's cup holder before getting inside.

”I could smell a smell that wasn't right,” she said.

She told the court that she looked into the back of the vehicle and saw Curteman. She screamed for help and Curteman popped out of the car at the sound of her cry.

After allegedly pointing a gun at her, she said he told her, “You've ruined my life and we're taking care of this today.