Backus Man Found Guilty of Spiking Trees

According to the Cass County Attorney, 52-year old Stephen Thomas Olson of Backus was found guilty on Friday of Felony Criminal Damage to property and of a Gross Misemeanor Damage to Timber, following a 3-day trial in Walker.  In November 2009, it was discovered that over 500 trees had been spiked with 6-inch long ring shank pole barn nails.  At trial the jury heard evidence that Olson was angry that red pine trees on county land were going to be logged and he told others that he was going to spike the trees. According to court records, Olson was aided in his crime by two teenage boys who had close ties to the defendant.  Olson will be sentenced on October 8 by Judge John P. Smith.