Posted on 02/17/2011 11:14:35 AM PST by greatdefender
Today's lessons for would-be environmental vandals: If you're going to take it upon yourself to destroy a venerable icon beloved by hundreds of thousands of people, a) Pick a target that's not monitored by camera 24 hours a day, and b) Don't call in to the most popular radio show in the state to brag about your crime. Otherwise, you might end up like 62-year-old Alabama fan Harvey Almorn Updyke, better known now as "Al from Dadeville," who was arrested early this morning for allegedly applying a lethal dose of herbicide to a pair of 130-year-old oaks at Toomer's Corner, the traditional campus meeting point for Auburn fans to celebrate victory by rolling the trees. Updyke is charged with criminal mischief and was being held this morning on $50,000 bond.
His arrest came less than 18 hours after Auburn confirmed the poisoning in a release on Wednesday afternoon. Initially, the university was alerted by a caller to the Paul Finebaum Show on Jan. 27, "Al from Dadeville," who proudly described poisoning the trees with Spike 80DF – the same herbicide later found in soil samples – a few days after Auburn's comeback win over Alabama last November. According to the university, the lowest level of Spike detected in samples was 0.78 parts per million, "a very lethal dose." The highest level detected was 51 parts per million, some 65 times that lethal dose, which is possibly enough to warrant significant environmental penalties. (The university also said there's "no reason to suspect any human danger from the herbicide," and expert said at a press conference this morning that there's very little chance any groundwater would be affected.) Auburn police chief Tommy Dawson said this morning Updyke potentially faces further charges, but declined to elaborate.
(Excerpt) Read more at rivals.yahoo.com ...
I’m sure there’s an oak that wouldn’t mind a rope thrown over it.
I know that the University of Alabama had nothing to do with this and can’t control what their fans do....BUT I think it would be a classy gesture on their part if the University of Alabama would offer to replace the trees.
After the singing of the National Anthem at the next Auburn-Alabama game, he has to come out to midfield and apologize to Auburn and Alabama fans.
What an IDIOT!
They should put this asshole away for 20 years...but they won’t.
“rolling the trees” ???
Things that make one go Hhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
After which he is gang-tackled by the defensive lines of BOTH schools. And then a field goal is attempted...with his head.
“Rolling the trees” means covering them in toilet paper. local tradition.
Obama fans are absolutely the worst.
If you’re so emotionally invested in a team, that you’re willing to commit a crime to show your allegiance....You’ve got some serious problems.
Remember, it’s just entertainment.
130 years old..... Apparently we have their birth certificates.
Take the criminal penalties to the maximum allowed; then sue him in civil court for every penny he has.
Then let the state and feds go after him for pollution!
“Auburn fans to celebrate victory by rolling the trees.”
What is rolling the trees?
And where do you find 400 year old trees?
Are the trees going to be ‘deader’ because they received a “very lethal” dose as opposed to just a lethal dose?
You can’t really replace them. What an evil idiot? Rabid college sports fans are morons. I cannot believe this guy did this for sports rivalry.
And then there are those who would take it as an admission of guilt.
No good deed goes unpunished.
I know.
It seems to me the trees would have been killed the very first time they were ‘rolled’. The last time I checked a tree had to be cut down and have had all its branches removed before it could be rolled anywhere...
;-)
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