Student gets 8 years for SUV vandalism

Reuters ^ | 04/19/05 | Reuters

[Pikamax]

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- An aspiring physicist was sentenced Monday to more than eight years in prison and ordered to pay $3.5 million for his role in a spree of arson and vandalism that targeted gas-guzzling Hummers and other sports utility vehicles.

Rejecting pleas for clemency from William Cottrell, a 24-year-old doctoral candidate in physics at the California Institute of Technology, U.S. District Judge Gary Klausner added more time to the sentence after finding that Cottrell was trying to sway consumers with his anti-SUV message.

The slogans Cottrell spray-painted onto vehicles included "Fat Lazy Americans," "No Respect for Earth" and "SUV Terrorism."

Cottrell, who admitted only spray-painting and testified he did not know that two friends were bringing Molotov cocktails, promised he would never break the law again.

The two friends have fled the country to avoid prosecution, authorities said.

"I want nothing more than to be a physicist," Cottrell said. "I would do anything to earn any leniency the court could show in this matter."

[b4its2late]

One of the ELF buttheads?

[dfwgator]

Those evil SUVs have very long memories, when he gets out, he'd better watch out.

[Tacis]

Have you ever had any contact with these flaming, arrogant, ignorant left-wing kids? They are so frustrating because they are absolute in their beliefs and, yet, are unable to explain/justigy/argue those beliefs. They know business/industry is bad, Republicans are bad and Christians are bad. How do they know? They read it in a comic, heard it on a rap song, Moore told them or they heard it on VH-1.

Leniency for this guy would simply represent another time he's outwitted the man. He may not change much in 8 years but at least it will keep his wise guy butt off the street.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

"I would do anything to earn any leniency the court could show in this matter."

Which reminds me of the closing scene of the movie, The Producers where Zero Mostel (as Max Bialystock) contritely tells the judge, "You Honor, I'll never do it again." - Flash to gaol where Bialystock and Bloom are selling shares in a prison production.

[HKMk23]

"I want nothing more than to be a physicist,"

Oh, sure ya do!  And you were out in the dark vandalizing SUV on the dealer's lot conducting an important experiment, right?

Well, congratulations, you've discovered how to eradicate your future career in physics by making yourself RADIOACTIVE.  Now, you have eight years to study the physics of prison life.  But, look at the bright side: Schrödinger will probably let you take his cat with you.

Oh, and here's a tip: no gravity experiments in the shower; hang onto your soap.

[Vaquero]

He'll be tossing many a prison salad.....anyway I sure hope so.....heh heh....

[cricket]

Do they appeal these kind of verdicts? With eight years given; how soon before he begins his efforts at least, for early release. . .

[Larry Lucido]

We only own one, so we're only half bad.

[KurtAZ]

Good to see an example of the leftist elite get his comeuppance. Let me guess...you thought that because you were a doctoral student you were above the law? How's Mommy and Daddy handling their little terrorist now? Real world slap you in the face?

[Lazamataz]

"I want nothing more than to be a physicist," Cottrell said. "I would do anything to earn any leniency the court could show in this matter."

Oh well. Should have thought of that before your little Eco-Spree.

[Lazamataz]

Besides, you only do 2/3's your time in most state prisons. So, you'll be out in 5 years and 4 months.

Without a degree and without a job.

With a felony conviction.

Good luck!

[July 4th]

Bravo, Judge Klausner! Encore! Encore!

[Lazamataz]

He'll be tossing many a prison salad.....

While I am glad this fellow got prison, hoping for their rape is not good at all.

[TXnMA]

"I want nothing more than to be a physicist," Cottrell said.

B.S.!!! No serious physics student would have the time to waste on such libwacko crap!

In all likelihood, the doofus was flunking, anyway. Hard science majors in top-line schools face more hard work in their sleep than most lib-arts majors endure -- period...

Been there -- done that -- moved my cot and coffeepot into the lab...

[epow]

And a leftist ecoterrorist finally learns that a crime committed in the name of a lofty ideal is still a crime.

I happen to think that there are at least as many, if not more, SUV owners who are more interested in keeping up with the latest trendy fads than they are who have a real need for a vehicle of that configuration. But that doesn't mean I believe that those people don't have a right to own and drive their automotive fashion statements if that's what floats their boats.

Personally, I prefer to drive a sensible, reliable, comfortable medium size vehicle that meets my needs and averages 28 mpg. But if my retiree neighbor, who btw has no kids and has never driven his 4WD SUV off a paved road, is dumb enough to worship at the altar of the SUV fashion cult by paying $.22 per mile to drive his 2-1/2 ton Suburban to the supermarket for a loaf of bread, that's his misfortune and none of my own.

[Captain Rhino]

"I want nothing more than to be a physicist," Cottrell said.

Well, Mr. Cotrell, you, like Martha Stewart, now have a new entry for your resume: convicted felon.

When you get out, you will be an ex-con physicist who can't get a security clearance. Can you say "Do you want fries with that?"

[massgopguy]

"I want nothing more than to be a Physicist."
Osama has some people on the payroll with the same dream.

[epow]

than they are who have a real need for

Make that "........than there are who have a real need..........."

I guess I'll have to break down and start proofreading before posting.

Naaahh, way too much trouble, they'll figure out what I mean. And anyway, if they don't what will it matter 5 minutes from now?

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

He will have plenty of time to write his dissertation.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

"...he did not know that two friends were bringing Molotov cocktails..."

If you can't trust each other, why should the rest of the world?

Typical lying Leftists.