Pa. man, 85, gets probation for tree slashing

[May 17, 2010]  ERIE, Pa. (AP) -- A retired funeral director will serve probation in a first-time offenders program for allegedly slicing into two large maple trees that block the view of Presque Isle Bay in Erie from a rental property he owns.

Eighty-five-year-old Paul Brugger had been scheduled for trial on felony charges because police claimed the trees were valued at $15,000. Brugger's attorney disputed that, saying the trees were worth less than the $5,000 felony threshold.

Brugger entered the first offenders program Tuesday and his record will be expunged if he completes one year of probation without incident.

Erie County District Attorney Jack Daneri says he agreed to the deal partly because the trees will apparently survive the cuts designed to stem the flow of nutrients through their trunks.

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Information from: Erie Times-News, http://www.goerie.com/

[Associated Press]

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