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The results are in! The man is not a killer! We knew that though.
A scathing article follows.
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Craig Sjoberg Cuts His Losses
By Steve Duin, The Oregonian
May 08, 2010, 8:13AM
Four days before Craig Sjoberg was scheduled to go on trial for first-degree manslaughter, he settled his case with Skamania County, apparently deciding that an absurd verdict was better than the 1000-to-1 shot he might be found guilty.
As I noted in that March 13 column, Sjoberg -- a Vancouver school teacher -- was charged with "recklessly" causing the death of Juan Rojas Cortez, who died of a gunshot wound on the first day of hunting season while gathering bear grass in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Sjoberg was apparently the only hunter that the county's chief deputy prosecutor, Christopher Lanz, could find who admitted to shooting his rifle that November day. And that was enough for Lanz -- who said the state required no more than "a mere scintilla of evidence" -- to charge the 57-year-old Sjoberg in the death of Cortez.
I had a seat reserved for the May 10 trial, just so I could get a first-hand look at how the wheels of justice turn in Stevenson, Wash.
But in the end, Steven Thayer, Sjoberg's attorney, convinced him to accept a "deal" that is almost as laughable as the original charge.
On Thursday, Sjoberg pleaded guilty to unlawful discharge of a firearm, which earned him bench probation of 24 months. He also agreed to "restitution as stipulated" -- reimbursing Cortez's family for the cost of his funeral -- and speaking at six hunters' safety courses in the next 24 months.
This case was an absolute travesty from Day One. Lanz had absolutely nothing to tie Sjoberg to the bullet that killed Cortez, who was foolish enough to be gathering bear grass in dark clothing on a day when hunters were dashing through the woods.
The charges cost Sjoberg dearly. He spent a week in jail. He was put on leave from Shahala Middle School. He eventually forked over almost $100,000 to Thayer.
In the end, Lanz was desperate for cover, and Thayer convinced Sjoberg to provide it for him.
Where this leaves Sjoberg if the Cortez family decides to file a civil suit against him, I don't know. Nor can I imagine what possible advice Sjoberg will have for fellow hunters.
But I hope Lanz, Thayer and Superior Judge E. Thompson Reynolds someday offer a defendants' safety class in Skamania County. That's a seminar I'd happily audit.
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As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons...be cheerful; strive for happiness - Desiderata
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