Man Accused of Poisoning Toomer's Corner Trees Indicted on Felony Charges

I've spent too much time on YouTube, laughing at Alabama Crimson Tide fans and their over-the-top antics. Many extreme-fan video clips have gone viral, for good reason. They are hilarious. For kicks, Google ''..."Alabama Football Fan on YouTube' and you'll see what I'm talking about.

It's fine if you throw beer cans in your own house, eat your hat or rip off your shirt at a game, but it's never okay to destroy property that does not belong to you. Especially ancient oak trees that cannot be replaced. Because of a football rivalry.

But that's just what Harvey Updyke Jr. is accused of doing. He faces a total of four felony charges and two misdemeanor charges by a grand jury in Lee County.

Toomer's Corner

Toomer's Corner is at the intersection of downtown Auburn and the college campus. It's the place where Auburn fans gather to celebrate or commiserate. The intersection is lined with majestic, ancient oak trees and it's beautiful. My husband and I, diehard Tide fans, attended the 2009 Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. While there, we mixed it up with the Auburn fans at Toomer's Corner. It's a special place.

Sadly, an herbicide commonly used to kill trees was deliberately applied in lethal doses to the Toomer's Corner oak trees. Horticulturalists are doing what they can to reverse the damages but the trees are not expected to survive.

Updyke became the main suspect in the crime after a man called the Paul Finebaum Radio Network on January 27 to announce that he had poisoned Toomer's Corner's trees. The man identified himself as "Al from Dadeville" and went on to say that he poisoned the trees the week after the 2010 Iron Bowl.

Fan Overreaction

The man, already upset by Auburn's 28-27 Iron Bowl victory over Alabama, said a 1983 photograph of Auburn fans rolling Toomer's Corner to celebrate the death of former Alabama coach Bear Bryant further angered him. Poisoning Auburn's century-old oak trees was his method of retaliation. Authorities eventually traced the call back to Updyke.

Updyke is indicted on two felony counts of first-degree criminal mischief, two felony counts for unlawful damage, vandalism or theft of property and two misdemeanor counts of desecrating a venerated object. Each felony charge could bring 10 years in prison. The misdemeanors could bring additional prison time plus fines.

Arraignment is scheduled for May 26 and June 20 is the tentative date for the trial.

On a recent Birmingham radio show, Updyke admits that the poisioning wasn't one of the best things he's ever done. He signed off the radio show by saying, "Roll Damn Tide."

Updyke's act is reprehensible. He does not characterize the typical Alabama football fan. We'll see what the courts decide to do with this fanatic.

More Alabama football content from this contributor:

Fan preview: Spring just the start to promising season for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Record-breaking crowd at Alabama's spring game: A fan's reaction

College football loses two great men: A fan's reaction

Alabama football players to follow on Twitter: A fan's report

Source:

ESPN College Football: Accused Auburn tree poisoner indicted.

Fox News: Arrest made in Auburn Toomer's Corner trees poisoning.

Langley Cornwell is a longtime SEC supporter and an avid Alabama college football fan. She has been following the Crimson Tide since the Bear Bryant days.