R. Mears
19th February 2007, 14:54
Gas thief pleads for farmer who caught him
February 16, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, Minn. -- A man pleading guilty to stealing gas and a car radiator offered support for the retired farmer who was charged with threatening him with a shotgun.
Kenneth Englund, 74, confronted Christian Harris Smith and a woman on Oct. 15 at a vacant farm near Englund's home as Smith was taking gasoline from a vehicle, police said.
Englund chased the pair while calling the sheriff's office on a cell phone. After the vehicles stopped and a deputy sheriff arrived, Englund's shotgun was found to be unloaded, according to police.
Farmer facing gun charges
A felony assault charge against Englund on Monday was reduced to two misdemeanors: pointing a gun at another person and disorderly conduct. Englund's attorney said he will fight those charges.
A judge sentenced Smith, 28, to 90 days in jail last week. As Smith entered his guilty plea, he defended Englund's actions.
''I don't think he should be held responsible," Smith said. "I committed a crime and, you know, he did what he probably thought was right.''
Smith said he would like to do ''whatever I can'' to help Englund. AP
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
February 16, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, Minn. -- A man pleading guilty to stealing gas and a car radiator offered support for the retired farmer who was charged with threatening him with a shotgun.
Kenneth Englund, 74, confronted Christian Harris Smith and a woman on Oct. 15 at a vacant farm near Englund's home as Smith was taking gasoline from a vehicle, police said.
Englund chased the pair while calling the sheriff's office on a cell phone. After the vehicles stopped and a deputy sheriff arrived, Englund's shotgun was found to be unloaded, according to police.
Farmer facing gun charges
A felony assault charge against Englund on Monday was reduced to two misdemeanors: pointing a gun at another person and disorderly conduct. Englund's attorney said he will fight those charges.
A judge sentenced Smith, 28, to 90 days in jail last week. As Smith entered his guilty plea, he defended Englund's actions.
''I don't think he should be held responsible," Smith said. "I committed a crime and, you know, he did what he probably thought was right.''
Smith said he would like to do ''whatever I can'' to help Englund. AP
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be