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Monday, June 1, 2015

2008 Oregon Woodburn bank bombing

2008 Oregon Woodburn bank bombing ---
tags: bombing, bank, police victim, death sentence, conviction, father and son suspects, Oregon, anti-government, looks like terrorist, financial motive (possible), failing business, biofuel energy, botched robbery, bomb threat, radicalized, anti-Obama, gun enthusiast, militia, Oklahoma bombings sympathizer, lone wolf terrorist, radical right, christian suspect, racist, n-word, domestic terrorist, Right Wing Extremist

2 killed 2 injured, 2 arrested sentence to death Dec. 12, 2008 At the Woodburn branch of West Coast Bank.  A bomb threat was phoned in to the Wells Fargo Bank branch to get instructions from a cell phone left behind that bank, then police found a green metal box in some bushes at nearby West Coast Bank with a wire sticking out. Officer Hakim didn't wait for X-ray equipment, decided it was a hoax and took it to the bank lobby to take it apart while Tennant and Russell stayed to watch. Hakim said "There, I got it" just as the bomb went off, capture on bank video. Experts believed the bomb was accidentally detonated by a garage door opener or a passing truck driver. The blast killed Oregon State Trooper William Hakim and Woodburn Police Capt. Thomas Tennant. Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell was critically injured and lost his leg, and wounded bank employee Laura Perkett. The cell phone quickly led to arrests, and a search of the father's house found loaded guns and bomb evidence tossed into a river. Both Bruce Turnidge and son Joshua Turnidge were known for radical anti-government views who feared newly elected president Obama would take away their guns, and had celebrated the Oklahoma City bombing like a game celebration, which they openly shared with FBI agents even as they searched the house. Their biofuel business was failing and laying off employees and they had spoken about robbing a bank, The pair pleaded not guilty, but were both sentenced to death, in 2015 appealing that there were errors. Prosecutors called them domestic terrorists.




*tags:
  • accidental: none of Turnidge's views suggested that he deliberately planned to kill or maim anyone during the failed bank robbery scheme Prosecutors  countered that Turnidge's well-known views supported his ultimate motive.  (oregonlive)
  • anti-government " Josh was bold about his anti-government opinions. Do you remember him making any comments as to whether or not the government had too much power these days? asked a prosecutor. I remember that, yes, answered Milo, adding she remembered Josh saying Americans do not get to do what they want to anymore."  (kgw) Bruce... lectured anyone who would listen about the need for citizens to be armed to defend their freedom (huffpost)
  • biodiesel:  Bruce Turnidge eventually lost the Nevada onion farm, and returned to the Willamette Valley, where he and his son started a business turning used restaurant frying oil into biodiesel for farm tractors. (huffpost)
  • bank robbery plan:  Joshua, shared radical political views and spoke of robbing a bank to raise the money to keep their biodiesel business afloat.
  • blame: Bruce Turnidge and his son, Josh Turnidge blame each other for the deadly bomb Prosecutors said the two men co-conspired on the failed bank robbery scheme. (kgw) Joshua saw his father in the barn, mumbling that "Nobody was supposed to get hurt," leading Joshua to believe his dad had something to do with the bombing. Pat Turnidge testified his brother had said something similar in a frantic phone call. (huffpost)
  • bomb threat:  a caller to the Wells Fargo office in Woodburn on Dec. 12 made a threat and said that further instructions would come from a cell phone near a garbage can. Officers determined that the phone was not part of an explosive device.   The two built the bomb, left it outside a West Coast Bank branch and phoned in a threat to a bank next door,
  • christian: Turnidge often sat "like a ticking time bomb" during adult Sunday school, his chin in his hand, only to erupt to loudly declare people needed to rise up and take power back from the government. (huffpost)
  • defense: Defense lawyers believe the Turnidge's political beliefs should have no bearing on the trial, and contend the bomb wouldn't have detonated had officers not bungled the response.
  • gun buying: In the 1990s he and a group of like-minded men approached a Salem businessman for a loan to buy military-grade weapons,but gave Turnidge a loan to buy an onion farm instead (huffpost)
  • intentional: appeal shouldn't be held responsible for the deaths and injuries caused by the explosion because there was no intention to hurt anyone. The bomb was likely set off by bomb technician William Hakim  repeatedly hit the device with a crowbar or a hammer thinking it was a hoax, his attorneys said. (oregonlive)
  • mother:  the financially troubled couple was living at her property. Josh mentioning he was about to come into some money. Milo said Josh was a hard worker and a good father figure to her grandchildren. She said Josh was bold about his anti-government opinions. (kgw)
  • motive: Prosecutors said the father and son hatched the bank robbery plot to get money for their struggling biodiesel fuel company. (oregonlive)
  • Obama:  both men believed the Obama administration would crack down on their rights to own guns. The attack occurred about a month after Obama was elected. ... both men feared the Obama administration would crack down on gun owners, hardship forced Joshua Turnidge to pawn his guns. (huffpost
  • Oklahoma City Bombing cheered the Oklahoma City federal building bombing,... "Bruce said that Timothy McVeigh was a hero" Melodie Chasteen, Joshua Turnidge's ex-girlfriend, father and son both exulted in news of the 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombing... pumped his fist in the air and "cheered like it was a football game." (huffpost)
  • police targeted: Trial testimony indicated Bruce Turnidge had discussed using bombs to kill police officers in the past.  (oregonlive)
  • startup business Melissa Sherwood testified on Wednesday. She is an employee the Turnidge's laid-off from their failing biodiesel start-up business.  (kgw)
  • terrorist: none of Turnidge's views suggested that he deliberately planned to kill or maim anyone during the failed bank robbery scheme or that he and his son were the "domestic terrorists" as prosecutors labeled them, his attorneys said. Attorneys for the state Justice Department countered that Turnidge's well-known views supported his ultimate motive.  (oregonlive)
  • thought crime: "It is a frightening and plain error, anywhere in this nation, to urge a sentence of death for a person's thoughts and words," Simrin and Goody wrote.  (oregonlive)
  • venture capital: Two Turnidge acquaintances testified that Josh -prior to the bomb explosion- had bragged about an investor for his business, someone with $750,000 in venture capital  (kgw)
*Timeline



Valadez was a teller at the Wells Fargo Bank next door to West Coast. “There was a small pause and then the caller said, ‘If you value your life and the life of your employees, you need to get out, because I’m going to kill you. You guys are all going to die,’” she said the caller told her.

The two law enforcement officers were killed as they pried the lid off the green, metal box they thought was a hoax. Perkett’s leg was injured in the explosion but she just kept walking.

Investigators say they believe the bomb was not detonated by the officers handling the device but rather a passing truck driver who was innocently using a CB radio, which trigged the explosion





*Sources Timeline

New trial sought in 2008 bank bombing - Portland Tribune Portland TribuneJan 15, 2015 - New trial sought in 2008 bank bombing ... who along with his son Joshua were convicted in the 2008 Woodburn bank bombing that killed two ... judge overseeing the Woodburn bank bombing trial should never have allowed the jury to hear about Bruce Turnidge's anti-government views, his attorneys argue in appealing his conviction and death sentence. The judge also failed to intervene when a prosecutor told the jury to issue the death penalty because it was the only option that could "silence Bruce Turnidge's beliefs and his mind," the attorneys say.

Attorneys in Woodburn bank bombing case seek new trial Statesman Journal Jan 15, 2015 - An attorney for a man sentenced to death  argued before the Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday that the trial judge made a several errors, 2010 trial conviction and sentence should be overturned and demanded a new trial. Bruce Turnidge Turnidge, 64, was one of two men found guilty and sentenced to death  bombing that killed two police officers and badly injured a third. The bombing occurred Dec. 12, 2008 at the Woodburn branch of West Coast Bank. A green box found outside the bank was deemed a hoax. It exploded inside the bank — killing OSP Trooper William Hakim and Woodburn Police Capt. Thomas Tennant, critically injuring Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell and wounding bank employee Laura Perkett. Son Joshua Turnidge was arrested two days after the bombing.  Bruce Turnidge, of Jefferson, was arrested Dec. 16, 2008

Death row inmate in Woodburn bank bombing alleges court ... OregonLive.comJan 14, 2015 - The judge overseeing the Woodburn bank bombing trial should never have ... that Turnidge's well-known views supported his ultimate motive.

Not Guilty pleas for both, possible motive: Court documents reveal possible motive in deadly bank ... KVAL  Dec 26, 2008 - The indictment made public Friday is the first indication of what prosecutors believe is the motive for the bombing two weeks ago at a Woodburn ... "Investigators have previously disclosed that a caller to the Wells Fargo office in Woodburn on Dec. 12 made a threat and said that further instructions would come from a cell phone near a garbage can. Officers determined that the phone was not part of an explosive device. But later in the day, investigators turned their attention to the next-door West Coast Bank office, and a green metal box was found outside. After officers took it inside, it exploded, killing Oregon State Police Senior Trooper William Hakim and Woodburn Capt. Tom Tennant as they were working on the device. Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell was critically injured."  John Storkel, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Joshua Turnidge, 32, entered his own plea: "Not guilty, your honor."

Bruce and Joshua Turnidge get death penalty in Woodburn ... OregonLive.comDec 22, 2010 - 12, 2008, bombing at West Coast Bank in Woodburn, where two police officers were killed, Woodburn police Capt. Tom Tennant and Oregon ...

Video: Woodburn bank bombing suspect identified ... Dec 16, 2008 - Authorities have not made public any possible motives for thebombing, which took place at a West Coast Bank branch in Woodburn.

Bomb at Oregon bank kills cop, technician - NBC News NBCNews.comDec 13, 2008 - A bomb exploded inside an Ore. bank late Friday afternoon, killing a police officer ... West Coast Bank in Woodburn, Ore., where Oregon State Police said a bomb ... They had no suspects and no motive in Friday's bombing.

A look back: Woodburn bank bombing in photos ... OregonLive.comDec 8, 2010 - A look back at key moments in the Woodburn bank bombing through ... 12, 2008 bombing at West Coast Bank, which killed one Woodburn ...

Oct 14, 2010  Possible financial motives revealed in Woodburn bomb trial KGW - Possible financial motives revealed in Woodburn bomb trial. ... son accused of planting a bomb that exploded at Woodburn's West Coast Bank ...

Two officers confirmed dead in Woodburn bank bombing ...  OregonLive.comTwo officers confirmed dead in Woodburn bank bombing. Print · Aimee Green ... on December 13, 2008 at 8:31 PM, updated December 11, 2009 at 3:35 PM.

*Sources

Bruce Turnidge, Josh Turnidge Trial: Bank-Bombing Case ... The Huffington Post Nov 20, 2010 - His son, Joshua, shared similar views and spoke of robbing a bank ...The bomb went off at the West Coast bank in the little town of Woodburn ... People who knew Bruce Turnidge and his son say they loved their guns, hated President Obama, and fantasized about starting a militia and a tent city in the woods for people who shared their radical beliefs. Prosecutors say they acted on their anger at the government by planting a bomb defendants blamed their troubles on a government bent on taking their guns and freedom....

Turnidge also spoke about the origins of a racial slur, adding, "Now we have one in the White House, " Chamberlin testified.

MORE: Timothy McVeigh Bank Bombing Bruce Turnidge Barack Obama Oklahoma City Bombing Salem Birther Rural America Second Amendment Tea Party Anti Government Joshua Tu




No motive yet in bank bombing that killed 2 - KATU.com KATUDec 14, 2008 - The investigation into a bomb blast at a bank that killed two police officers and left Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell in critical condition ...

woodburn-bombing | OregonLive.com Woodburn police 'confident' justice will be sought for families of fatal 2008 bank ... Turnidge and his son were convicted in a 2008 Woodburn bank bombing that ...

woodburn bank bombing | OregonLive A bomb exploded inside a Woodburn bank, killing two police officers and seriously injuring a third, in December 2008. A father and son from Marion County ...


Bruce Turnidge, Josh Turnidge Trial: Bank-Bombing Case ...
www.huffingtonpost.com/.../bruce-turnidge-josh-tur...




The Huffington PostNov 20, 2010 - Bruce Turnidge, Josh Turnidge Trial: Bank-Bombing Case Exposes ... anger at the government by planting a bomb that blew up inside a small-town bank in2008, ... Hakim died along with Woodburn Police Lt. Tom Tennant.

Witnesses describe horror of Woodburn bank bombing ... KATUSep 30, 2010 - A Woodburn bank employee has testified that a man who called in the threat ... Turnidge, a father and son accused of a 2008 bank bombing.




ATF agent describes scene of Woodburn bank bombing
www.nwcn.com/story/news/local/.../12908512/




Northwest Cable NewsOct 4, 2010 - 12, 2008, bombing of the West Coast Bank branch in Woodburn. Photos were also shown in the courtroom Monday for jurors to study.

Father and Son Bank Bombers Head To Death Row in Oregon
www.splcenter.org/.../father-and-son-bank-...




Southern Poverty Law CenterThe Turnidge bombing occurred on Dec. 12, 2008, when an employee at Wells Fargo inWoodburn, Ore., received a call from a man instructing her and her ...

Jury Recommends Death Penalty In Woodburn Bank ...
www.opb.org/.../jury-recommends-death-pe...



Oregon Public BroadcastingDec 22, 2010 - Jury Recommends Death Penalty In Woodburn Bank Bombing Case ... homemade bomb at a West Coast Bank branch on December 12, 2008.

Arrest made in Oregon bank bombing - CNN.com
www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/15/...bank.bomb/index.html?eref...



CNNupdated 6:55 p.m. EST, Mon December 15, 2008 ... Bill Hakim, a state police bomb-disposal technician, and Woodburn Police Capt. Tom Tennant died as a ...

Woodburn police chief injured in bank bombing to retire ...
www.ktvz.com/news/woodburn...in-bank-bombing.../33260110



KTVZ4 days ago - The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/1J7Eu32 ) that 53-year-old Russell, who is best known as a victim of the 2008 Woodburn bank bombing, has ...

Jury recommends judge order death sentences in 2008 ...
www.kplu.org/.../jury-recommends-judge-order-death-sentences...
KPLU‑FMDec 22, 2010 - Prosecutors say the pair built and planted the bomb outside aWoodburn bank in 2008. The device exploded as state police bomb technician ...

Woodburn police chief injured in bank bombing to retire
democratherald.com/.../woodburn...bank-bom...



Albany Democrat‑Herald5 days ago - The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/1J7Eu32 ) that 53-year-old Russell, who is best known as a victim of the 2008 Woodburn bank bombing, has ...

Bomb at Oregon bank kills cop, technician - NBC News
www.nbcnews.com/.../bomb-blast-ore-bank-kills-cop-tec...




NBCNews.comA bomb exploded inside an Ore. bank late Friday afternoon, killing a police officer who ... set up near West Coast Bank in Woodburn, Ore., where Oregon State Police said abomb ... updated 12/13/2008 7:18:21 PM ET 2008-12-14T00:18:21.

Oregon justices hear appeal in bank bombing death ... - KPTV
www.kptv.com/.../attorneys-to-ask-state-supreme-court-to-throw-out-...
KPTVJan 15, 2015 - Oregon justices hear appeal in bank bombing death sentence ... convicted of planting a bomb that killed two Oregon police officers in 2008 have told ... Joshua Turnidge, of building and planting the bomb at a Woodburn bank.

Woodburn police chief injured in bank bombing to retire ...
www.washingtontimes.com/.../woodburn-police-c...



The Washington Times4 days ago - The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/1J7Eu32 ) that 53-year-old Russell, who is best known as a victim of the 2008 Woodburn bank bombing, has ...

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