News
Two eco-defense prisoners take plea bargains, get credit for time
served, fined $25 each, no probation, and then get released.
Stephen Marshall and Charles Jordon plead guilty today at the Federal
Couthouse in Portland, OR "to improper storage of dynamite." Both appeared
today in person along with their court appointed attorneys in front of
Judge Garr M. King, who dropped all the charges except the improper storage
of dymamite and lowered that charge to a misdemeanor. While that charge
carried 1 year maximum in jail, the district attorney Frank Noonan, had
only recommened a sentence of 6 months. All parties happily agreed to
credit for time served which was 10 months. Steve was released from jail
tonight. He will be staying the next month at the Washington County
Resitution Center, voluntarily thru a deal with his probation officer as he
finishes up his last 6 months of his post prison supervision. Charles had
been released back in late August to a half way house by a judge's order
during a release hearing and he is now staying with family members.
In October 2004, they were both squatting an abandoned farmhouse in
Hillsboro OR, which according to Charles, "had electricity but no running
water." The house was raided by the Hillsboro Police Department, who were
responding to a trespassing call reported by neighbors. During their
search of the house, the police found dynamite in the basement and a bowl
that contained nitroglycerin. The dynamite is said to have come from a
nearby barn discovered during a more intensive search of the property. They
were originally accused of planning to destroy vehicles & equipment
belonging to Oregon quarry company, Morse Bros., a company that runs
quarries throughout Oregon and operates a concrete materials and tool
business at 3150 S.E. Tualatin Valley Highway. They both accuse Morse
Bros., of polluting Rock Creek. The creek flows from the Tualatin
Mountains in Forest Park to the Tualatin River. Because Rock Creek and its
tributaries pass through rapidly urbanizing neighborhoods within
the cities of Hillsboro and Beaverton, protecting water quality is a
priority. The political aspect of their intentions were not discussed in
court today.