15 November 2007
A former neo-Nazi has avoided a prison sentence for his part in a 2002 attack on an Oregon synagogue after he expressed remorse. Gabriel Laskey, 23, a one-time member of the Oregon neo-Nazi group Volksfront, asked U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan for a second chance and it was granted. "I realize that I screwed up really bad," Laskey said. "I realize I need to be punished for that, and I'm willing to accept that. I know I can't change the past, but I'd like the opportunity to change the future." Hogan sentenced Laskey to five years probation, as well as six months at the Lane County work release program followed by six months of home detention.
Laskey admitted throwing rocks etched with swastikas through stained glass windows at Temple Beth Israel while about 80 people were inside attending a religious service. Laskey's older brother, Jacob, is serving 11 years in prison for the rock-throwing incident, as well as for obstructing justice, soliciting the murder of a witness and soliciting a bomb threat at a federal courthouse to disrupt a grand jury. Two other men were also charged in synagogue attack. Gerald Poundstone, 29, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and Jesse Lee Baker, 26, is awaiting his sentence.
Even before Tuesday's hearing, Gabriel Laskey has been trying to make amends to Temple Beth Israel and its congregants. Working with a mediator, he has written letters of apology, met with members of the temple, studied Jewish history with a rabbi and his wife, shared a Shabbat meal with eight people and filmed video segments to communicate with victims who did not want to face him. According to his attorney he has renounced his anti-Semitic beliefs and wants to have racist tattoos removed from his body. He also plans to make a sculpture for the temple grounds using the welding skills he is getting at community college.
