[sixties-l] Prosecutor says Rainbow Farm shootings justified (fwd)

From: sixties@lists.village.virginia.edu
Date: Thu Jan 10 2002 - 17:33:05 EST

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    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2002 11:39:55 -0800
    From: radtimes <resist@best.com>
    Subject: Prosecutor says Rainbow Farm shootings justified

    Prosecutor: Police Acted Properly

    <http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2002/jan/07/010705072.html>

    January 07, 2002

    CASSOPOLIS, Mich. (AP) - The FBI and Michigan State Police were justified
    when they shot and killed two men at a campground known for its advocacy of
    marijuana use, a prosecutor said in a report released Monday.
    The standoff at Rainbow Farm began Aug. 31 when Tom Crosslin, 46, skipped a
    court date relating to drug and weapons charges and allegedly set fire to
    buildings on his farm, which High Times magazine once rated one of the
    nation's premier marijuana-smoking spots.
    Cass County Sheriff's deputies arrived and surrounded the farm, and were
    joined later by the FBI and Michigan State Police.
    Three days after the standoff began and negotiations had failed, Crosslin
    left the farm's main house, armed with a rifle, to get food and supplies
    from a neighbor's farm.
    On his way back to his house, he spotted an agent in the woods and raised
    his rifle, Cass County Prosecutor Scott Teter said. Two agents fired at
    Crosslin, killing him.
    Rolland Rohm, 28, who was Crosslin's business partner, remained in the main
    house. The next morning, after Rohm had agreed to surrender, the main house
    began burning, Teter said.
    Thirty minutes later, Rohm ran out of the house carrying a rifle and
    wearing black face paint. Teter said Rohm spotted a Michigan National Guard
    light armored vehicle and pointed his rifle at two guardsmen.
    Two Michigan State Police snipers nearby in the woods fired at Rohm and
    killed him.
    In both cases, Teter said, the shooters were protecting themselves or others.
    The Rohm and Crosslin families said through a spokesman Monday that they
    rejected the findings.
    "We think that Teter is playing fast and loose with the truth," spokesman
    Bill McMaster said. "There are two unexplained homicides caused by 120
    police with snipers, tanks and helicopters."



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