Activist found guilty of arson, faces Measure 11 sentence
In a nonjury trial, a judge finds Jeffrey Luers guilty on five counts; he faces 71/2 years in prisonWednesday, June 6, 2001
By Alice Tallmadge, Correspondent, The OregonianEUGENE -- A Eugene forest activist convicted Tuesday of arson in two incidents last year might spend 71/2 years in prison.
Circuit Court Judge Lyle Velure, who found Jeffrey Luers, 22, guilty in a nonjury trial, ruled that the fires could have posed a significant risk to individuals in the vicinity, a finding that elevated some of the charges to Measure 11 crimes, which carry mandatory sentences.
Velure will sentence Luers on Friday.
Luers, pale but composed, kept his eyes fixed on the judge as he was admonished for his lack of concern for the harm his actions could have caused others.
"This is an obviously intelligent defendant," Velure said. "He has a great deal of ability and a great deal of awareness of his actions." If the attempted May arson at the Tyree Oil Company had been successful, the judge said, it could have harmed children and nearby residents in the west Eugene neighborhood. "It would have had serious, disastrous consequences for the city of Eugene."
Luers' attorney, Brian Barnes, had no comment on the verdict.
Luers had earlier admitted guilt to criminal mischief in a fire set at the Joe Romania truck lot in Eugene June 16, 2000. The fire destroyed three vehicles. He was found guilty of three counts of arson in the first degree, one count of unlawful manufacture of a destructive device and one count of possession of a destructive device.
Another activist implicated in the Romania arson, Craig Marshall, 27, accepted a plea bargain last November and is serving a 51/2 year sentence.
The same truck lot was the target of a second arson this March that caused $1 million in damages. No suspects have been named in that incident.
Luers was also found guilty of several charges relating to the Tyree Oil Co. arson, although Barnes had argued that the two incidents were not related. Velure ruled that sufficient evidence was found at a warehouse unit leased by Luers to link the young man to the attempted arson.
The trial has been followed closely by the local activist and anarchist community as well as law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. During closing arguments, the judge told the courtroom that "the defendant's political philosophy, what he has said or what he has espoused, will play absolutely no role in any decision I make in this case."
You can reach Alice Tallmadge at 541-741-6256 or by e-mail at a.tallmadge@worldnet.att.net