City human rights commission calls for shorter sentence for anarchist…

City human rights commission calls for shorter sentence for
anarchist
Register Guard- 6/12/03


Eugene, Ore. (AP) - Members of the Eugene Human Rights Commission have written
a letter in support of a reduced prison sentence for an anarchist now serving a 22-
year prison term for setting three sport utility vehicles on fire and attempting to burn
down an oil company.

Commission members say people convicted of more serious crimes than those of
Jeffrey "Free" Luers have received more lenient sentences. "In no way are we
supporting him or his crime," said Sara Rich, a commission member who researched
the case and urged the commission to question whether the sentence was based on
political beliefs.

"During these difficult times, we must work diligently to ensure that the basic civil
rights of all of our fellow citizens are equally protected and upheld," the letter states.
"We therefore urge Mr. Luers to use his appeal process in the hope that a review of
his sentence will lead to a reduction in time served and with the expectation that the
length of his sentence would not be based on his political beliefs."

The letter does not commit the city to take any action on Luers' behalf, but is
intended for Luers to use in any way he wishes, Rich said. The letter does not
mention Luers' conviction for attempted arson of a fumed-filled tanker truck at an oil
company in a Whiteaker residential area that investigators believe could have been
catastrophic. Luers disavows any connection with the crime.

Luers, 24, was convicted for 10 felonies including three counts of first-degree arson
at the Romania truck dealership on June 16, 2000, and two counts of attempted
arson at the Tyree Oil Inc. three weeks earlier.

He is appealing the sentence, arguing the crimes were not first-degree arson, the
sentences should not be served back-to-back, and that he was sentenced as though
someone had been seriously injured or endangered. No one was injured in either
incident.

Luers' co-defendant, Craig Andrew Marshall, 30, made a plea deal on charges in the
Romania case and was sentenced in November 2000 to 5 1/2 years in prison.
Although the case began three years ago, vocal supporters continue to press Luers'
cause. They have organized a demonstration for Saturday at a Eugene park and
have created a Web site.