Harvey Updyke has previously been known as the man accused of poisoning the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner. Now, he’s the man who actually did poison the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner. Or, at least admitted as such.
Two years after being arrested for allegedly poisoning the trees at the famous Auburn site, Updyke has finally met his legal fate. Following several delays in his trial — his most recent date was April 8 — Updyke changed his plea from not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to guilty on Friday.
Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jacob A. Walker II sentenced Updyke to three years on a charge of criminal damage of an agricultural facility, a Class-C felony. He was originally charged with first-degree criminal mischief, desecration of a venerated object and unlawful damage to a crop facility charges.
Updyke will remain incarcerated for six months — he’s already credited for serving 104 days in jail — and has been placed on five years of supervised probation after his release. He will also not be allowed to attend any college sporting event or talk with media. He is banned from any Auburn University property and has a 7 p.m. curfew.
Updyke, or “Al from Dadeville”, called the Paul Finebaum Show two years ago claiming he had spread herbicide around the trees following Auburn’s 2010 win in the Iron Bowl over Alabama.
The oak trees at Toomer’s Corner are expected to be removed late next month.
(Hat tip: al.com)
