Retirement Community "Murderer"

[THL]

WATCH OUT!! There could be a murderer in YOUR retirement home community, too.

LAS VEGAS - Residents of an upscale retirement community near here knew Douglas Hoffman was upset that trees were blocking his backyard view of the Strip.

But at a hearing Monday, where Hoffman was sentenced to up to five years in prison for killing more than 500 trees, a prosecutor said the retired construction worker had threatened to unleash "chemical, biological, nuclear mass destruction" because of it.

Dressed in jail garb and handcuffed to his wheelchair, Hoffman, 61, slumped and lowered his eyes when Judge Donald M. Mosley announced his sentence.

"I am not a bad person. I am a good person," said Hoffman, who has hip, back, heart and prostate problems.

The case has been closely watched in fast-growing Clark County, where tract homes and transplanted trees have obscured many homeowners' mountain and casino views.

A few years ago, Hoffman and his wife bought a second home in a Henderson retirement haven just south of Las Vegas. Mesquite trees and other recently planted vegetation soon grew 8 feet tall, obscuring the view from their deck. The couple asked a homeowners committee if they could swap out the trees for shrubs, but were told no.

Shortly after, in October 2004, a yearlong tree massacre began. Tops were lopped off. Entire trees were chopped down. The damage neared $250,000. And the community panicked.

"If he was cutting trees, was he going to cut people next?" said Richard Cancellier, 73, who came to Hoffman's sentencing Monday with several neighbors.

When he was caught, Hoffman -- whom a fellow resident had spotted near a freshly cut tree -- was carrying a single-blade saw. In November, a jury convicted the retiree of 10 counts of malicious destruction of trees.

Resorting to vandalism to restore his view of the Strip, Hoffman attorney Christopher R. Oram said Monday, was "very serious," But in arguing for a lighter sentence, Oram reminded the judge that his client "cut down trees. . . . He did not physically hurt another human being."

In pushing for a harsh sentence, Clark County Deputy Dist. Atty. Joshua Tomsheck on Monday revealed that a rambling, typed letter had been sent to the governor's office while Hoffman was awaiting trial.

"If no changes come soon -- and soon means now, immediately -- the militia has many options," it read. Among those listed were razing and burning homes, drive-by shootings, setting off improvised explosive devices and unleashing a weapons cache.

The letter was signed "USA Organization Militia LLC," Tomsheck said, but Hoffman's thumbprint was on the address label.

Mosley said the letter didn't factor into his decision to put Hoffman behind bars -- more important was how the methodical tree-slashing frightened Hoffman's neighbors.

"This man spent approximately 14 months," the judge said, wreaking havoc on this community.

Linked Here

[dalem]

Geez, THL- do you have a bet going on how fast I'd post in this thread?

-dale

[Capt Bluesman]

On the one hand, homeowners associations are facist and anti-american, and I can't help but admire someone who resists them. On the other hand, this guy does sound like a bit of a looney, and he did commit serious vandalism, and violate the rights of his neighbors to enjoy their property in peace.

On the other hand, for an old sick man, prison, even for a few years, could b a death sentence, a bit harsh for a non-violent crime.

I think the just thing to do is sentence this guy to probation.

[dave lukins]

Originally Posted by Capt Bluesman

On the one hand, homeowners associations are facist and anti-american, and I can't help but admire someone who resists them. On the other hand, this guy does sound like a bit of a looney, and he did commit serious vandalism, and violate the rights of his neighbors to enjoy their property in peace.

On the other hand, for an old sick man, prison, even for a few years, could b a death sentence, a bit harsh for a non-violent crime.

I think the just thing to do is sentence this guy to probation.

Due to his various illnesses and immobility, it is going to cost a lot more to keep him in the pokey than the $250.000 damage to trees. It sounds like he requires 24hr medical care, medication, and possible surgery for heart and prostate problems. I did have to smile when I read that he was handcuffed to his wheelchair. I was surprised they didn't let the air out of the tyres as well

When you read about so called celebrities getting away with serious offences such as drunk/drug driving, or driving down the freeway on the wrong side,drunk driving again, and getting 1hour in jail makes my skin itch

[Expat Canuck]

No kidding Dave, how would you punish him though? I say take it from his estate when he and the wife die to compensate for the damages and let him know that should he do so again they take his house earlier and stick him in a hospital.

[THL]

Originally Posted by Expat Canuck

No kidding Dave, how would you punish him though? I say take it from his estate when he and the wife die to compensate for the damages and let him know that should he do so again they take his house earlier and stick him in a hospital.

I agree with those who said that he should have to pay for the trees (btw...$250K for trees!!! Just go to the freaking garden center at the local Wal Mart people!!). He should also have to sell his home and move out of the retirement village since he threatened them all with some pretty violent things and thats enough to make anyone nervous. Maybe he could replant trees in the old trees place.

*on a side note, whenever I hear the term "village" referring to a community or neighborhood, I always think of the Smurfs and their mushroom hut village. so when searching to see if I could find the name of the Smurfy village, I came across this which refers to the Smurfs being communists...never thought about it before, but I think they were!

[Expat Canuck]

Lol at the Smurfs, I read that ages ago and forgot all about it....

Some people have too much time on their hands either for the author or if he's right for the creator of the Smurfs. Actually I'm right on both.