March 22nd, 2013
09:22 PM ET

'Bama fan pleads guilty to poisoning Auburn oaks

An Alabama man pleaded guilty Friday to poisoning oak trees that drew generations of Auburn University football fans celebrating victories, officials said.

Harvey Updyke will serve at least six months of a three-year sentence for criminal damage to an agricultural facility, a felony, Lee County District Attorney Robbie Treese said in a statement.

The plea brings to an end the criminal proceedings in an act in 2010 that outraged Auburn fans and others upset that the trees at Toomer's Corner were poisoned.

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Filed under: Alabama • Crime • U.S.
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. banasy©

    What irrational behavior! I know people take their sports seriously, but really?

    March 22, 2013 at 10:42 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Jessica

    Really? This is what my tax dollars are going to? Let's deal with something serious, like killings and stuff like that. Jail time for poisoning some pathetic stupid tree's.

    March 22, 2013 at 11:06 pm | Report abuse |
    • s kel

      I love trees, old meaningful trees. But I agree with you on this.

      March 22, 2013 at 11:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • Monty Python

      No. This type of destructive personality is likely to move onto animals and maybe even people. We always say, let's catch these criminals early, before they hurt a child or adult, for once we did.

      March 23, 2013 at 10:06 am | Report abuse |
    • Mr Dalloway

      This is tantamount to environmental terrorism.

      March 23, 2013 at 2:32 pm | Report abuse |
    • Portland tony

      Your "tax" dollars are gonna pay to remove the dead trees lest they fall on someone who sues the city!

      March 23, 2013 at 5:58 pm | Report abuse |
  3. turftoe

    How about we punish shady corporations that poison thousands of plants, animals, and humans on a daily basis.

    March 23, 2013 at 10:06 am | Report abuse |
  4. Mr Dalloway

    I remember how disgusted I felt when this story first hit. What ever possessed this person to commit such a nonsensical act will forever thwart any measure of my understanding it.

    March 23, 2013 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  5. the voice of reason

    They're just trees.

    March 23, 2013 at 2:52 pm | Report abuse |
    • Portland tony

      Most times they gotta be replaced ....at the local tax payer's expense!

      March 23, 2013 at 5:51 pm | Report abuse |
  6. fernace

    There was some1 who poisened trees in a park in my city a few years ago! At the very least, this is vandalism! Also, take a good breath & thank green spaces in your city! Trees & other plants create oxygen & are extremely important in cities w/a lot of car exhaust! This guy should do his time & try to learn some lessons!!

    March 24, 2013 at 8:06 pm | Report abuse |
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