Court document: Bomb expert thought explosive was fake (OR) [2nd arrest made]

The Oregonian ^ | December 16, 2008 | Aimee Green

[jazusamo]

Stephanie Yao/The Oregonian

Joshua Turnidge, left, appears with his attorney Steven L. Krasik for arraignment in Salem today. Turnidge, 32, was held on multiple charges, including murder, in a bombing last Friday at a West Coast Bank branch in Woodburn that killed two law enforcement officers and critically injured a third.

SALEM -- Authorities mistakenly believed the bomb that detonated at the Woodburn West Coast Bank on Friday was a hoax device that could be moved and taken apart inside the bank, according to the probable cause statement against Joshua Abraham Turnidge, arraigned today on aggravated murder charges.

Instead, the device detonated, dismembering and killing both Oregon State Police bomb technician William Hakim and Woodburn Police Capt. Tom Tennant. Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell sustained critical injuries, including the loss of his right leg below the knee.

A bank employee who was still inside at the time of the blast, Laurie Ann Perkett, also was injured with a piece of shrapnel in the bone of her right leg.

Oregon State PoliceWilliam Hakim

The probable cause statement, released today, offers the most detailed explanation of both the events that unfolded on Friday as well as the evidence that led to the arrest of Turnidge, 32, of Salem.

In addition to the six counts of aggravated murder, Turnidge was arraigned on the district attorney's information in Marion County Circuit Court on accusations of manufacture of a destructive device, possession of a destructive device, first and second degree assault, conspiracy to commit all of the above crimes with one or more unidentified persons.

Turnidge did not enter a plea but was assigned court-appointed attorneys Steven Krasik and Steven Gorham. Both are very experienced defense attorneys. Krasik has handled some of the highest profile death penalty cased in Oregon, including the defense of family-killer Christian Longo and Joel Courtney, accused of killing Brooke Wilburger. Turnidge is being held without bail.

Turnidge showed little expression during the hearing, but stood up straight and answered a few procedural questions from the judge with a clear voice. Rory Lewis, 22, whose sister, Jamie, is in a long-term relationship with Turnidge, sat in court next to his grandfather. Lewis said he thinks the public has been too quick to judge Turnidge as a killer.

"Everybody's making a judgment that he's a terrible guy," Lewis said. "Do they got the wrong guy or not? I honestly don't know."

The probable cause statement lays out the trail that investigators say leads to Turnidge.

Friday morning, authorities responded to a call from Wells Fargo Bank, next door to the West Coast Bank. Someone had called the bank advising occupants to leave the building or they would all die, according to the statement. A cell phone would be found next to a garbage can, the caller said.

Police discovered a disposable cell phone and several black bags, but determined it to be a hoax.

Using phone records, authorities traced the phone and another disposable that had placed an incoming call to it to handsets that had been purchased at a Wal-Mart store at 20120 Pinebrook Blvd. in Bend on Nov. 26, at 5:25 p.m. at register 13.

They also traced the purchase of two prepaid phone cards, used to make calls from the phones, to a Wal-Mart at 3025 Lancaster Dr. NE in Salem on Dec. 11 at 12:11 p.m. on register 53.

The stores gave surveillance video of the purchases as well as of the purchaser walking out to a blue Chevrolet pickup, with a partial license plate that bears similarities to one registered to Turnidge's father, Bruce. The statement also says that Turnidge's responses to questions from investigators contradict information from interviews with Turnidge's girlfriend and his uncle.

Turnidge told police he drove another vehicle to Bend and Medford on the day of the bombing, reportedly responding to a customer's stolen oil barrel. But Turnidge's uncle and business partner apparently contradicted that account, according to the probable cause document. Patrick Turnidge told police their company, BD Oil, did not have oil pickups outside of Marion County.

But Lewis said in his gut he believes Turnidge is innocent. "It just doesn't seem like he would do something like this."

Lewis said his sister and Turnidge, who live together in Salem with her children, have been dating for three or four years. Turnidge had recently started a business converting used vegetable oil to biodiesel. Turnidge was supposed to be in the Woodburn area on the day of the bombing, and with Lewis' sister at the time of the bombing, Lewis said.

Krasik, one of the accused man's attorneys, said he met with his client for the first time Monday night. Turnidge was upbeat and adamant about his innocence, he said.

"He was surprised to be arrested," Krasik said, "...he was clear-headed, and his was optimistic that he will be cleared of all charges."

Krasik said his client has never been incarcerated before. During this morning's hearing, Turnidge's hands were cuffed together to a chain around his waist. He wore a sleeveless quilted green smock, assigned to inmates on suicide watch.

Krasik said he was certain Turnidge would soon be removed from suicide watch because he doesn't appear to be of harm to himself.

Marion County Deputy District Attorney Matt Kemmy said he has until Dec. 23 to get a grand-jury indictment against Turnidge. The case has been assigned to Judge Thomas Hart, and its next hearing is set for the day after Christmas.

[jazusamo]

Turnidge did not enter a plea but was assigned court-appointed attorneys Steven Krasik and Steven Gorham. Both are very experienced defense attorneys. Krasik has handled some of the highest profile death penalty cased in Oregon,

Looks like the prosecution is preparing for a death penalty case by assigning Steven Krasik in the beginning.

[jazusamo]

Oregon Ping!

[Red Badger]

Air Force EOD school is here at Eglin. As they say, you only get to make one mistake............

[jazusamo]

So true and so sad, it seems they made that mistake.

[gundog]

“I’m the only one here professional enough to BOOOM!!!!....

[BallyBill]

Right from the beginning I thought that their guard was down because of some hoaxes earlier in that day.

[MahatmaGandu]

Air Force EOD school is here at Eglin. As they say, you only get to make one mistake............

And that is very much the truth.

[jazusamo]

I think you’re right, they were complacent because of the earlier fake bomb.

[bcsco]

Looks like the prosecution is preparing for a death penalty case by assigning Steven Krasik in the beginning.

The prosecution assigns legal council in Oregon? I thought that was done by the courts...

[lefty-lie-spy]

Turnidge's hands were cuffed together to a chain around his waist. He wore a sleeveless quilted green smock....

Murderer chic fashion, its all the rage amongst the McVeyians these days. I'm so happy to hear that wardens are up on vogue and bringing in the fashion police for commentary.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

EOD, I haven't seen any posts from you lately.
What do you think of this very bad mistake?

[Hacklehead]

“Court document: Bomb expert thought explosive was fake.”

Expert FAIL

[jazusamo]

I doubt the prosecution assigns council, I worded that improperly but it looks like the court may be anticipating a death penalty case.

[jagusafr]

“Lewis said his sister and Turnidge, who live together in Salem with her children, have been dating for three or four years.”

Uh...shouldn’t that be, “have been scr%%ing for three or four years”? I do so love a euphemism...

Colonel, USAFR

[bcsco]

Oh, ok. No harm. I’m not familiar with Oregon law so I thought I’d ask. I’d say a death penalty case is warranted. Two officers killed, a third critical and a bank employee wounded. I doubt the fact the thing was left outside is much of a defense. It could have had the same affect on the officers if it hadn’t been moved inside.

[jazusamo]

Agreed, I definitely think the death penalty is warranted in this case.

[hiho hiho]

William Robert Hakim

William Robert Hakim August 31, 1957 - December 12, 2008

SALEM - Bill Hakim died in the line of duty on December 12 in Woodburn. He was born in New York City to Victor and Suzy Hakim. The family moved overseas to Spain and Italy, where he attended elementary school. In 1968, the family settled in Mexico City, where Bill began his secondary education. He finished high school in Texas. He attended college at St. Johns College in New Mexico. After leaving St. Johns, Bill enlisted in the Navy, and finished his college education at the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree and officer rank.

Bill served his country as a Naval Officer. His proudest accomplishment as a Naval Officer was becoming an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Diver. Bill left the Navy in 1994, to raise his family in the Northwest. In 1997, he graduated from the Oregon Public Safety Academy, and joined the Oregon State Police force. His first duty was as a trooper in Klamath Falls. In 1999, he joined the arson and explosives team in Salem, where he proudly served until his death.

Bill led an adventurous childhood. From traveling across the Atlantic at age six on a seven month cruise to meeting Pablo Picasso. He traveled throughout Europe, spending a summer in Switzerland. He fondly remembered eating chocolate on French bread and living in a five star hotel in Mexico City until his family settled there. During his youth, Bill mastered the French, Italian, Spanish, and English languages. As an adult, he continued his travels while in the Navy, through the Persian Gulf, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines. Bill was also a member of the Antarctic Dive Exploration Team, who explored the floor of the Antarctic Ocean. In 1987,

Bill met the second love of his life (after his motorcycle) and his future wife, Terri Milling. They were married in 1989 in San Francisco. They made their first home in Virginia Beach, Va., where both their daughter and son were born. Eventually, the family settled in Oregon. Bill loved his motorcycle until he found his new love - a 1966 cherry red Ford Mustang (fondly known as the “money pit”). He also loved coaching soccer as a volunteer coach for the Salem Parks and Recreation Department. Bill used his creative talents to build furniture and mastering the barbeque. He was also an avid outdoorsman and had a passion for physical fitness. Bill had a wonderful sense of humor and laughed hardest at his own jokes. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and children, and being able to share world adventures and exotic foods with them.

Bill is survived by his wife, Terri; daughter, Page; son, Victor; and his dogs, Chico and Pierre. Other survivors are his brother, Christopher Hakim; step-mother, Luly Hakim; many nieces and nephews; and a large extended family. His mother and father preceded him in death. Bill is remembered best for being a loving husband, father, brother, friend, and mentor. You could always count on Bill to have your back covered. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. The world is a sadder place for the loss of this honorable man and hero.

A private service for family and friends will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Salem at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 18. A reception will follow in the Parish Center. There will be a public memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 20 at the Salem Armory. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3009. Arrangements by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

[Busywhiskers]

One wonders if this will be used as an example in future bomb squad training of what not to do.

[hiho hiho]

Thomas P. Tennant

Thomas P. Tennant February 20, 1957 - December 12, 2008

WOODBURN - Captain Tom Tennant, age 51, was killed in the line of duty on December 12, 2008. Tom was born in Prineville, Oregon. He was the oldest of four children born to Paul & Florence Tennant. He graduated from Sprague High School in 1975, and from Western Oregon University with a degree in Criminal Justice in 1979.

After graduation, he pursued a career in law enforcement. He served with the Hubbard and Salem police departments before moving to Woodburn, where he joined the Woodburn Police Department in September, 1980. Tom was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in July, 1989 and to the rank of Captain in November, 2004. Captain Tennant also graduated from the FBI National Academy in December, 1993.

Tom was always ready to lend a helping hand and never said no to a request for help. He was active in the Woodburn community and St. Luke’s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus, with whom he worked on many service projects including Octoberfest and Mother’s Day Breakfasts. Other community activities included Love Santa and the Cancer Society “Relay for Life”. No matter how busy Tom’s schedule became, his first priority remained his devotion to his family, who were his pride and joy.

On October 15, 1983, he married the love of his life, Mary Jungwirth, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gervais. Later, they were blessed with three children: Becky, now age 24, Jenny, 22, and Scott, 18, a Senior at Blanchet High School.

Tom took every opportunity to enjoy and support his wife and children. Part of that included volunteering at school and athletic events. These included St. Luke Catholic School, Woodburn High School, Woodburn Bulldog Foundation and Blanchet High School. Tom also loved the outdoors. He enjoyed many activities with his family and friends, including hunting, fishing, camping, quading, hiking, and boating. Tom had a way of making everyone in his life feel special. There were plenty of bearhugs to go around. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his wife and children, Tom is survived by his mother, Florence Tennant; brothers, Bill and David Tennant; and sister, Joanna Mix, all of Salem.

A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, and a Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 18, both at St. Luke Catholic Church in Woodburn. Also, a Memorial celebrating Tom’s life and service to his community will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, December 19 at the Salem Armory. Arrangements by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

[TribalPrincess2U]

#1 on the “Never Never” list for bomb experts...
think any bomb is a “FAKE”.

Sad story.