Eugene Weekly

Police cell phone, dispatch and taser time stamps contradicted a Eugene police sergeant’s testimony that Ian Van Ornum caused a long traffic back-up during an anti-pesticide protest last May. Van Ornum is on trial for allegedly slowing traffic (disorderly conduct) and resisting arrest at an anti-pesticide protest last May. Many witnesses have accused the police of brutality in the arrest. Police video in the case shows that Van Ornum was tasered twice in the back while he lay on the ground face first with his arms pinned under his side or held behind him by police. Continue reading →

The jury in the trial of taser victim Ian Van Ornum has asked, “what if we don’t agree on the verdict,” according to the judge. Judge Jack Billings said he told the jury, deliberating for the past two hours, that not agreeing unanimously would result in a mistrial and the case would “likely” be tried again by another jury. Billings said the jury told him, “they are making headway.” The judge told the lawyers in the case to remain available as the jury result may come “relatively soon.” Continue reading →

The trial of taser victim Ian Van Ornum was called back on the record at 4:35 pm. No word on a verdict yet. Continue reading →

The jury went out for deliberation at about 2:30 pm today in the case of taser victim Ian Van Ornum. The Eugene police have accused Van Ornum of slowing traffic and resisting arrest at an anti-pesticide protest last May. Many witnesses have accused the police of brutality in the arrest. Police video in the case shows that Van Ornum was tasered twice while he lay on the ground with his arms pinned under his side or held behind his back. Van Ornum’s doctor testified that he suffered a concussion. Continue reading →

(Police taser gun video from KVAL) Continue reading →

(Police Sgt. Bill Solesbee, KVAL pool photo) After an anti-pesticide protest ended in a police tasering last May, the Eugene Police department issued a misleading press release that has been largely refuted by sworn police officer testimony this week. Continue reading →

(Video still of Ian Van Ornum and his defense lawyer by KVAL.) The trial of taser victim Ian Van Ornum began today with testimony of a Homeland Security officer and Eugene police officer and the judge’s ejection of an independent video taker from the court room. Continue reading →

The Eugene City Council voted 7-1 to move forward with street assessments for Maple and Elmira streets. The council left open the possibility of later voting to decrease the average $10,000 charge per home along the street by increasing the amount the city will pay for the street improvement project. Continue reading →

The Eugene City Council voted 7-1 to change the city’s position on a proposed law allowing bikes to carefully yield and roll through stop signs from opposition to neutral. A proposal to change the position to support the state legislation failed 5-3. Proponents said the law has worked successfully in Idaho for almost two decades and should also be enacted in Oregon. Continue reading →

The Eugene City Council voted unanimously tonight to approve a grant application for a world-class skateboard park under the Washington-Jefferson viaduct. Continue reading →