US beauty queen gives back crown after tossing bombs from car

Charges Lead U.S. Beauty Queen to Return Crown

The Miss Riverton Beauty Queen winner, 18-year-old Kendra Gill, returned her crown this week after Utah prosecutors last Friday charged her and three friends, Shanna Smith, Bryce Stone and John Reagh, with felony possession of explosive devices, reports CTV News.

The incident occurred less than two months after the honor student outshined all other contestants in the Miss Utah and Miss America preliminary contest in June and won a $2,000 scholarship.

On August 2, Gill helped the three other teens design homemade bombs out of plastic bottles, shrapnel and toilet bowl cleaner. They then tossed the bombs from a moving vehicle.

Gill claims that their intent was a practical joke and “stupid mistake” not meant to cause harm to others. Although no one was injured, prosecutors argue that the stunt could have resulted in harm of innocent bystanders at any time.

Gill chose to step down from her Miss Riverton position and return the crown before pageant officials revoked the title, as no winner can have past or current criminal charges. Gill explained to KSL-TV: “I just thought that it would be best for the city of Riverton and all the people affected by our decision and my choice…”

On The Web:

U.S. beauty queen gives up crown after homemade-bomb charges
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/u-s-beauty-queen-gives-up-crown-after-homemade-bomb-charges-1.1410550

Utah beauty queen gives up crown amid bomb charges
http://www.kwwl.com/story/23137646/utah-beauty-queen-gives-up-crown-amid-bomb-charges

Beauty Kendra McKenzie Gill gives back crown after bombshell
http://www.news.com.au/world-news/beauty-kendra-mckenzie-gill-gives-back-crown-after-bombshell/story-fndir2ev-1226697447798