Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published December 1, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified December 1, 2008 at 1:01 PM

Comments (3)     E-mail article     Print view

Farmer who killed bald eagles "humbled" by pardon

Twelve years after pleading guilty to federal charges in the deaths of three bald eagles, Collier learned his name was cleared: He was pardoned by President Bush.

The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — Leslie Owen Collier was surrounded by cattle at a livestock auction when his cellphone rang. It was the White House.

Twelve years after pleading guilty to federal charges in the deaths of three bald eagles, Collier learned his name was cleared: He was pardoned by President Bush.

"I guess I was humbled is the best way to say it — I never thought it would happen," Collier, 50, said. "It was emotional. I almost came to tears, really."

Collier was among 14 people pardoned by Bush on Monday. The president has granted just 171 pardons overall — less than half as many as the other most recent two-term presidents, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.

The 1995 incident that changed the life of the farmer from southeastern Missouri began when he noticed an increasing number of wild turkeys, which were believed to have died away. "I got it in my head that if I eliminated some of the coyotes it would give the turkeys a jump-start" on their comeback, Collier said.

So he put out hamburger meat laced with the pesticide Furadan in an effort to kill the coyotes. It worked; seven coyotes died.

The problem occurred when the eagles fed on the coyotes' carcasses. They died, too. So did a red-tailed hawk and a great horned owl, among other animals.

The birds are federally protected and killing them is illegal. Collier said the crime became a felony when the second eagle died. He pleaded guilty in late 1995 and received two years of probation.

While he didn't go to jail, the conviction was hard on Collier. He was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. As a felon, the longtime hunter had to give up his guns.

Beyond that, there were the occasional news articles and Web postings referring to Collier as the guy who killed bald eagles, America's national bird. Sometimes in town, he'd get looks that were difficult to ignore.

But many in and around Charleston, a town of about 5,000 residents, felt Collier was penalized too harshly because he clearly didn't intend to hurt the eagles. Among those in his corner was Lanie Black, then the state representative for the region, as well as a close family friend.

The men attend the same church, where Black teaches one of Collier's three children in Sunday school. When Collier lost part of a leg in a farming accident several years ago, Black was among those keeping vigil at the hospital.

advertising

To him, the prosecution of Collier never made sense.

"Everybody down here feels he was taken advantage of by a bunch of slick-tongued lawyers and prosecutors," Black said.

So Black and other supporters began writing letters seeking a pardon. Several months ago, U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway contacted Black and requested the full story. Hanaway had been asked by a pardon attorney for the Department of Justice for input about the possibility of a pardon.

Hanaway said she spoke with federal prosecutors familiar with the case, with the judge, even with people in the Charleston area who know Collier. "By all accounts ... he is a pillar of the community down there," she said.

Collier said he feels vindicated and relieved his name is cleared.

"What happened really was regretful," he said. "I'd always be really excited to see a bald eagle. It sure never entered into my head I might kill some."

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
Too bad the headline didn't include the word "inadvertantly" killing....  Posted on December 1, 2008 at 3:14 PM by dawgfan63. Jump to comment
Count your lucky stars, bud. I hope you spin something positive out of this.  Posted on December 1, 2008 at 11:43 AM by mr. wellbeloved. Jump to comment
He didn't kill the eagles. Something he did accidentally caused them harm. There is a big difference.  Posted on December 1, 2008 at 7:41 PM by pookah05. Jump to comment

Senate Democrats split on health bill's fate

UPDATE - 05:12 PM
SC gov faces 37 charges he broke state ethics laws

U.K. started planning early for war, leaked papers show

Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm

India's feeling bruised even before White House visit

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

Advertising