Harvey Updyke (Auburn tree poisoner) now living in his car
Just guessing that this is how Harvey Updyke looks when he wakes up in the morning in his car. (AP photo)
I’m assuming this will not elicit a lot of sympathy, but the yahoo who allegedly poisoned the Auburn oak trees apparently so concerned for his safety that he’s living in his car. Also, he’s now being defended by an attorney who represented the former Birmingham mayor, who’s now in prison for bribery, fraud and money-laundering.
Is this a movie of the week or what?
According to a friend of Harvey Updyke, who phoned a Birmingham sports talk show that he poisoned the iconic oak trees at Toomers Corner in Auburn, public enemy No. 1 has gone into seclusion and is living in a car by a creek somewhere in Alabama.
So I guess it follows that if Updyke phones another sportstalk show, his handle of “Al from Dadeville” becomes “Al from Chevy.”
Wayne Barnes, a friend of Updyke’s, told the Birmingham News: “He left [his home] and went to buy a new cell phone, and while he was at the Wal-Mart somebody cut two of his tires.”
Hah! Roll Tide.
It’s not all bad news for Updkye. After three court-appointed attorneys in succession managed to talk their way off the case, somebody finally has stepped forward and taken the case: Glennon Threatt Jr. Representing hated and morally reprehensible individuals is nothing new for Threatt. He defended former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford, who last year began serving a 15-year sentence in federal prison following his public corruption trial.
Threatt said of Updyke in an interview with the Paul Finebaum radio show: “He has very limited resources He is exactly the kind of person the law requires to get adequate representation. Now he’s facing a hostile crowd that rather than have a jury, he’ll probably have a crowd of pitchforks and torches out there waiting for him.”
No sympathy here.
By Jeff Schultz
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500 comments Add your comment
Ted Striker
February 23rd, 2011
1:56 pm
Auburn09 — Cleanup on Aisle 5. Get busy.
Crimson and White
February 23rd, 2011
1:57 pm
Next time an Auburn fan thinks about putting a Scam Newton jersey on Bear Bryant remember there will be repercussions!
Call it what u want.....
February 23rd, 2011
1:57 pm
Turd.
Call it what u want.....
February 23rd, 2011
1:59 pm
Chi town … the last time u bent ova.
leigh
February 23rd, 2011
1:59 pm
What percentage of either the Auburn of the Alabama fan base do you suppose ever attended, let alone graduate from the university?
There's a reason for that, Chi Town
February 23rd, 2011
2:00 pm
Nothing good has ever come out of the state of Alabama..except I-20
With 200 yrs of history to draw from, the state could only come up with Helen Keller on their quarter. That is pathetic. Even more pathetic,,name one thing from Alabama that would have been a better choice? see what I mean? Charles Barkley ranks as one of their top 5 citizens of all time..what does that tell you?
ugaforester
February 23rd, 2011
2:00 pm
Please tell me he lives in a van down by the river.
McDawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:01 pm
you let your kids run around a busy street ???
Smellie
February 23rd, 2011
2:03 pm
Why are so many of the off-the-deep-end fans of Southern US Public Universities (& their ridiculously glorified sports teams) the ones that never stepped foot on campus to attend a single class??
BartenderBart
February 23rd, 2011
2:04 pm
Charles Barkley is one of the top 5 citizens of Alabama? That’s just trbl.
Andy in Blairsville
February 23rd, 2011
2:04 pm
At least the trees lived 100+ years. UGA’s inbred morbidly obese dogs are lucky to 4 years.
Augirl
February 23rd, 2011
2:04 pm
He’s not going to go to jail for only poisoning trees, there are SERIOUS concerns about the groundwater being contaminated. This alone can lead to federal time, if convicted.
Tide for Toomers has raised almost $40,000 for this cause. The raising of funds to keep an age old tradition alive has brought this rivalry to a different (and in my opinion) better level than I have seen in my lifetime. I am proud to see us come together Auburn AND Alabama. Can’t say I see the same for other interstate rivalries. I’m proud to be from Alabama and I’m proud I graduated from Auburn University.
Keep on squabbling, keep showing your true colors. It’s amusing that some people would stoop so low.
No one has said that this is bigger than Egypt, Iraq or Iran put together. @ Unbelievable-you know what assumptions lead to….
Justin Beaver
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
Chi Town, whats wrong with being a switch hitter???
ray lewis
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
ha ha, my buddies killed two innocent people and we are free
11Dawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:06 pm
Did he buy posion at Wal Mart while looking at bama’s trophey?
AU Grad '87
February 23rd, 2011
2:07 pm
GaBlue WDE – it’s nice to hear that there are other people out there that understand the significance of that small town corner that takes it’s name from the little family drugstore across the street.
For the rest of you that can’t/won’t understand, they weren’t just trees and it’s not just about football. Bless your hearts…
Did you realize that in Alabama...
February 23rd, 2011
2:07 pm
a recent fabricated home industry survey shows that over 1 million people in Alabama live in a trailer. Their population is only about 4 million. 25% of the population lives in a trailer. Wow.
Woody
February 23rd, 2011
2:07 pm
Matt Foley: “When you’re busy killing trees, you can live in a van down by the river.”
BartenderBart
February 23rd, 2011
2:09 pm
Did you realize-
Does that mean they live in the same trailer? ‘Cause that would have to be one heck of a trailer…
BartenderBart
February 23rd, 2011
2:09 pm
Or is “trailer” the new name for Birmingham?
Gary
February 23rd, 2011
2:09 pm
Not sure which is dumber, hundreds of fans TP-ing their own tree after a win (or death of hated football coach) for the school to clean up or the rival who hates it so much he tries to kill the tree. In the end the guy deserves probation at best. People walk for way worse things out of courtrooms everyday. The only way this guy gets a real or fair trial is outside the state. Killing a tree is not a jailable offense no matter how pissy Auburn fans get. Sorry, people run puppy farms and torture animals and walk away all the time. Take the gambling out of it and Vick does not go to jail. Time to let it go. It was a tree. Clearly this guy was being punished by god before he even did this and now his life is even worse. Let the guy plea and send him home.
jarvis
February 23rd, 2011
2:10 pm
Nick Cellini at 9 AM: “Schultz tries to be cool, but he can’t help himself.”
Justin Beaver
February 23rd, 2011
2:11 pm
besides barkley, doesn’t alabama got two dudes that did alright on American Idol??? the dude with long hair and the dude with premature gray hair….. then I look at this tree poisioner and begin to wonder about everyone’s hair in Alabama. I got pretty hair and didn’t need to be on idol!!!
dawg lover
February 23rd, 2011
2:11 pm
I am a Georgia fan and I love my university and our traditions just as much as people from Auburn or Alabama love theirs. I can certainly understand how Auburun fans feel. I find nothing funny about this senseless act; nothing funny about the cracks made at people from both schools in Alabama, or nothing funny about cheap shots about killing the UGA mascot. Rvialry is one thing; uncivilized and reckless behavior is another. It’s fine to rib each other about things in good natured fun or when one team wins or loses, but the comments made by some people on here are inexcusable. There is not one treu fan from any university who would not be just as upset as the Auburn fans are if this were done to something they love and cherish.
To the Auburn fans from a UGA fan…hope it works out there is a way to save your trees and your timeless tradition.
Go DAWGS
jarvis
February 23rd, 2011
2:11 pm
For clarification Jeff, that was in reference to how you treat the staff at the radio station.
tp'd......
February 23rd, 2011
2:11 pm
the trees got poisoned, that sucks. thankful it was one of their own (from AL) instead of somone from georgia.
what i would like to know is who came up with the moronic idea of throwing toilet paper in trees to celebrate something, to begin with? i have always understood the act of getting “tp’d” was a prank by punks when they wanted to harass someone or when they didn’t get candy for halloween.
leave it to the “plains”billies in bama to use an otherwise negative act as something to celebrate. maybe it’s the chemicals leaching from all the damn tp that is killing the trees.
Auburn09
February 23rd, 2011
2:11 pm
DawginLex– how is that any different?! Oh yeah because a dog is alive right? Get over yourself and your school. Were you alive last time UGA won the National Championship?
Ted Striker– why did your sister’s water break because you got her pregnant again? You have no idea what I do so shut up as well. Go land an airplane or something loser.
Niel Young lyrics
February 23rd, 2011
2:12 pm
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
then I went and killed some trees
OK, I made up that last line
AU Liberal in ATL
February 23rd, 2011
2:12 pm
Hey steel, crawl over here on your knees. I have something for you.
1eyedJack
February 23rd, 2011
2:14 pm
Grim Reaper, the media and all the lefties were wanting George Bush lynched when gas hit $3 a gallon post Katrina. Where is all that anger now?
Whocaresitsatree
February 23rd, 2011
2:14 pm
I am concered that the Barners will used the money raised by Tide for Toomers to go out and pay the best JUCO tree out there to come to Auburn and stay in the ground for a year. I hear that the fundraising goal is about $180K
Redneck Hillbilly
February 23rd, 2011
2:15 pm
Only in the great state of alabama…YEHAW!!!!
7576DAWG
February 23rd, 2011
2:16 pm
After this guy go’s to prison for a few year’s maybe 3 and released on good behavior there’s nowhere in Alabama he can hide where there aren’t vindictive Auburn fan’s that will make this guy’s life a living hell. I sure hope he doesn’t decide to settle East of Alabama. I have met people like him and they are not quite mentally disturbed enough to be in an institution but it is very uncomfortable being around them even for a little while because they don’t think like an average person and are very unpredictable .Most of these types are weird or a little strange but are totally harmless, thus you accept it because they are better off living as normal a life as possible rather than being locked up and feeding their mental instability. But then every once in awhile one like Updyke crosses the line and society is safer and better off if he was committed because he lost his” benefit of the doubt” to live among the rest of us and we should not be punished for the way he is by having to keep an eye on every thing he does. Everybody that is within seeing distant better be careful. Once you cross the line there are no “TAKE BACK’S”.
I read on one of the new’s channel’s a few years ago that there was a Mobile Home Park somewhere near Tampa, Florida that has over 20 pedophiles living there , maybe they will welcome him.
Fleming Island Dawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:16 pm
Druid City yes they did and all were arrested on $50,000 bond for killing a hedge. Some don’t understand me I get the passion about the trees and being upset I just don’t get the whole put the person in jail while you have QB’s molesting underage girls in bathrooms and then getting to play in the Superbowl and fans are fine with that.
Auburn 09 yes I was alive congratulations on yours.
BKO
February 23rd, 2011
2:16 pm
Doesn’t everybody in Alabama live in their car?
only in AL
February 23rd, 2011
2:17 pm
Just top the trees out and carve a statue of $CAM and Cecil.
Augirl
February 23rd, 2011
2:17 pm
http://www2.oanow.com/news/2011/feb/19/search-yields-no-evidence-toomers-rolling-after-br-ar-1484600/
get your facts straight Gary
Justin Beaver
February 23rd, 2011
2:18 pm
The Pentagon announced today the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the “Alabama Redneck Special Forces”.
These Alabama boys will be dropped off into Afghanistan and have been given only the following facts about terrorists:
1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don’t like beer, pickups, country music, or Jesus.
5. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.
We expect the problem to be over by Friday.
kimmer
February 23rd, 2011
2:19 pm
Come one people. We’re talking about trees here not people. 1) They don’t feel pain or consciousness so its ridiculous to ‘feel sorry’ for them. 2) They CAN be replaced. For some reason it has to be THESE TREES and no other ones will do. I know they are 130 years old. But nothing lives forever and they have lived long beyond their expected life span already. Just get some new ones and move on.
What Updyke did was sorry and low class. He deserves to pay for the property damage he caused and for the crimes he committed. He did not however physically harm anyone. There is more outrage and screwball threats over these trees than over people, heck CHILDREN being murdered! That is wrong just like what updyke did was wrong.
I'll be here all week
February 23rd, 2011
2:20 pm
A guy goes into a bar and asks the bartender if he wants to hear a good Alabama joke.
The bartender says, “Before you tell it, you should know that I am 6-2 and weigh 225 and I’m from Alabama. See that guy at the end of the bar? He’s 6-4 and weighs 250 and he’s from Alabama, too. And see the guy at the other end of the bar? He’s 6-6 and weighs 280 and he’s from Alabama,too! Now, do you still want to tell your Alabama joke?”
The guy says, “Nah.”
To which the bartender smiles and says, “What’s the matter? Are ya chicken?”
The guy says, “Nah. I just don’t want to have to explain it three times.”
Fleming Island Dawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:20 pm
David Lamm oin Jacksonville asked callers on his show which was worse what Big Ben did or Michael Vick. 99% said what Vick did. Most said because Vick killed helpless dogs and the girl Big Ben attacked could fend for herself. Liberals are taking over.
Crimson and White
February 23rd, 2011
2:20 pm
Did you realize…they make trailers nicer than some of these houses in Atlanta…
The Joker...
February 23rd, 2011
2:20 pm
Wow, all of this publicity for a tree? I would hate to see what would have happened to this guy if he had killed a hog…..
darwinawardwinner
February 23rd, 2011
2:21 pm
How can he “get out of Dodge” when he’s living in a Chevy?
Mike
February 23rd, 2011
2:21 pm
This is what I do not understand about the law and I have been working with it for over 30 years (civilian side). If I guy commits a heinous crime and admits it, why does he need to be defended? What is this attorney going to do? Try and get the guy off? Makes no sense to me.
UGASlobberknocker
February 23rd, 2011
2:22 pm
Bradley.s blog had 8.9 million hits last yr…this topic may pass that by dinnertime.
itpdude
February 23rd, 2011
2:23 pm
Everyone deserves a legal defense.
The Joker...
February 23rd, 2011
2:23 pm
BKO
February 23rd, 2011
2:16 pm
Doesn’t everybody in Alabama live in their car?
LOL!!! No, that’s Mississippi
GaBlue WDE!
February 23rd, 2011
2:23 pm
I was in Auburn the day Bear Bryant died. Toomer’s Corner was NOT rolled. (I did know some men who went to Tuscaloosa for the purpose of starting a brawl in a local bar, were successful, and barely made it out of town alive…) But there was no tp thrown at Toomer’s Corner.
Justin Beaver
February 23rd, 2011
2:25 pm
Hey Joker, of course they wouldn’t kill a hog in Alabama….. what would they do on friday night while sitting around the fire without a pig to make squeal…..