Gas Thief Defends Farmer Who Chased Him
Sorry thing is farmer was still charged with defending his property[:(]
CAMBRIDGE, Minn. (Feb. 15) - A man pleading guilty to stealing gas and a car radiator offered words of support for the retired farmer who was charged with threatening him with a shotgun.
Kenneth Englund, 74, confronted Christian Harris Smith and a woman on Oct. 15 at a vacant farm near Englund's home as Smith was taking gasoline from a vehicle, police said.
England chased the pair while calling the sheriff's office on a cell phone.
After the vehicles stopped and a deputy sheriff arrived, Englund's shotgun was found to be unloaded, according to the criminal complaint.
A felony assault charge against Englund on Monday was reduced to two misdemeanors: pointing a gun at another person and disorderly conduct.
A judge sentenced Smith, 28, to 90 days in jail last week. As Smith entered his guilty plea, he defended Englund's actions.
"I don't think he should be held responsible for, you know, anything involving any of these issues," Smith said. "I committed a crime and, you know, he did what he probably thought was right to ... resolve the situation."
Smith said that in addition to paying restitution to the owner of the property, he would like to do "whatever I can" to help Englund, according to a court transcript.
Englund's attorney, Brian Toder, said he will fight the reduced charges.
Englund did not point the shotgun at anybody, Toder said. "Even if he did, that's reasonable force. He's with a guy who he thought was a drug-crazed meth-head."
Englund, a member of the Bradford Township Board, has received an outpouring of support in the community about 45 miles north of Minneapolis as well as from around the country.
CAMBRIDGE, Minn. (Feb. 15) - A man pleading guilty to stealing gas and a car radiator offered words of support for the retired farmer who was charged with threatening him with a shotgun.
Kenneth Englund, 74, confronted Christian Harris Smith and a woman on Oct. 15 at a vacant farm near Englund's home as Smith was taking gasoline from a vehicle, police said.
England chased the pair while calling the sheriff's office on a cell phone.
After the vehicles stopped and a deputy sheriff arrived, Englund's shotgun was found to be unloaded, according to the criminal complaint.
A felony assault charge against Englund on Monday was reduced to two misdemeanors: pointing a gun at another person and disorderly conduct.
A judge sentenced Smith, 28, to 90 days in jail last week. As Smith entered his guilty plea, he defended Englund's actions.
"I don't think he should be held responsible for, you know, anything involving any of these issues," Smith said. "I committed a crime and, you know, he did what he probably thought was right to ... resolve the situation."
Smith said that in addition to paying restitution to the owner of the property, he would like to do "whatever I can" to help Englund, according to a court transcript.
Englund's attorney, Brian Toder, said he will fight the reduced charges.
Englund did not point the shotgun at anybody, Toder said. "Even if he did, that's reasonable force. He's with a guy who he thought was a drug-crazed meth-head."
Englund, a member of the Bradford Township Board, has received an outpouring of support in the community about 45 miles north of Minneapolis as well as from around the country.
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yep, I'd do the same thing. that's b.s.. 0 -
[:(] 0 -
Actually, I'd give the thief a reduced sentence if I were the judge. Obviously, he's taken responsibility and knows what he did was wrong rather than blaming society and the guy that caught him.
As for the DA (forget the judge), it sounds as if he has too much time on his hands. Perhaps a recall would be in order?0 -
If he'd do anything to help out the farmer, offer to serve the farmers time.
Ben0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
As for the DA (forget the judge), it sounds as if he has too much time on his hands. Perhaps a recall would be in order?
they're all like that. idiots.
I went to court once for "no insurance" (didn't have it on me). gave the judge the insurance card. prosecutor looked at it and said "it says right here valid only if it has been paid!" the judge just rolled his eyeballs, flipped the paperwork out of his hand, and said "next!"0 -
quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
As for the DA (forget the judge), it sounds as if he has too much time on his hands. Perhaps a recall would be in order?
they're all like that. idiots.
I went to court once for "no insurance" (didn't have it on me). gave the judge the insurance card. prosecutor looked at it and said "it says right here valid only if it has been paid!" the judge just rolled his eyeballs, flipped the paperwork out of his hand, and said "next!"
Sad isn't it?[xx(]
Ben0 -
That's one of the reasons that I love my piece of Orygun.
D.0 -
Well good for the crook!
Hopefully the charges get dropped.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
Actually, I'd give the thief a reduced sentence if I were the judge. Obviously, he's taken responsibility and knows what he did was wrong rather than blaming society and the guy that caught him.
As for the DA (forget the judge), it sounds as if he has too much time on his hands. Perhaps a recall would be in order?
I think there's an opening for the DA, in Durham, NC.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jbc23060
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
Actually, I'd give the thief a reduced sentence if I were the judge. Obviously, he's taken responsibility and knows what he did was wrong rather than blaming society and the guy that caught him.
As for the DA (forget the judge), it sounds as if he has too much time on his hands. Perhaps a recall would be in order?
I think there's an opening for the DA, in Durham, NC.
Touche0 -
The only "right" resolution to this case.
Drop ALL charges against Mr. Englund.0
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