Responses to Los Angeles Times article on Hoffman trial outcome.
The trees died for his Sin City view
Share your thoughts on the case of the man convicted on 10 charges in the destruction of nearly $250,000 worth of trees that he said were blocking his view of the Las Vegas Strip.
68 responses: 58 older responses and 10 newer responses immediately below.
1. After conducting an internet search on "Hoffman trees", I have concluded that the news media tried this man before his court trial. The facts are one-sided, and grossly misstated. Remember that there are always two sides to a story, and yet Hoffman's side, including factual evidence has not been mentioned once. If you travel past Hoffman's house, you will find that none of the trees are cut that affect his view. I did it out of curiosity. Interesting . . .
Submitted by: Katy McGuire
6:32 PM PST, December 6, 2007
2. I found several inconsistencies: 1. Letter written by Mr. Hoffman to the HOA was in regard to front yard landscaping - not trees; 2. Trees along the parkway behind Hofman's house were not touched - funny he was accused of cutting trees for HIS strip view; 3. Evidence showed that Hoffman was out of state when many of the trees were cut - did the jury did not look at this?; 4. Other culprits were caught - they were released despite photos and partial license plates. 5. Retired Ventura policeman will receive a hefty reward over $10,000 - reason to lie about the facts?; 6. Doctor reports alone confirm he was physically incapable of these acts.
Submitted by: Terry Williams
5:44 PM PST, December 6, 2007
3. Sentence Hoffman to ten years in prison and fine him $250,000. He should also pay court costs.
Submitted by: Rod Smith
6:19 AM PST, December 6, 2007
4. I would like to see where the value for the damaged trees, which look more like bushes, came from - it seems fishy. Note that the article mentioned 8 foot "trees." Bushes and trees grow back. I'll bet you this dollar amount is pumped up for insurance reasons by this residential group. I'd appreciate seeing pictures of the "damage."
Submitted by: Appraisals can be worthless
3:52 PM PST, December 5, 2007
5. Here's an idea. We are losing our rainforrests at a record rate which is truely affecting the world climate. Why don't you radical "environmentalists" take a hike down to South America and do somthing about that?
Submitted by: Tree and View Lover
11:15 AM PST, December 5, 2007
6. What a crock this trial is. Held without bail for tree cutting?? LVPD and the residents there have more moral problems to fix than this!
Submitted by: Sean in Savannah
10:06 AM PST, December 5, 2007
7. Living in the area of Sun City he was caught in the act by an off duty or retired police officier. He should be fined the $250,000 for the tree replacement and spend up to 45 days in jail. 35 years! No way. He also should have to go to counciling.
Submitted by: Jerry
7:55 AM PST, December 5, 2007
8. He's guilty of sawing through trunks and limbs, people have limbs, let the punishment fit the crime. :-)
Submitted by: Branch Ricky
11:55 PM PST, December 4, 2007
9. I am a friend of Mr. .Hoffman and he did not cut any trees down. The trees would not cause the view to be lost so why cut the trees?
Submitted by: Friend
7:41 PM PST, December 4, 2007
10. This article was taken out of context by Ashley Powers. Reporters like to make maters worse than they are and often misquote people.
Submitted by: Friend
7:39 PM PST, December 4, 2007
1. DLS has the right idea. Restitution for cost of the trees and public service to personally plant them.
Submitted by: Douglas Fir
2:51 PM PST, December 4, 2007
2. Held without bail? Whacko. He should simply have to pay the cost of replacing all the trees. I'm sure the prison space has worse criminals who deserve to be there.
Submitted by: George Pinetree
2:48 PM PST, December 4, 2007
3. This selfish man needs some jail time, plus a hefty fine. It will probably take 10 or more ywars for the replacement trees to grow to the size they were when he chopped them down.
Submitted by: Arbocop
1:10 PM PST, December 4, 2007
4. This is the type of VANDALISM (pure and simple!) that would outrage any of us if it was committed by younger people, but for a grown supposedly mature individual to do so is unforgiveable. And against neighbors too! The fact that he continued to cut down other trees to cover his tracks is further proof of his sick criminality. Yep, it's a civil crime alright but a crime nonetheless. Thirty years? No, no one would advocate harshness of this order, but 90 to 180 days in jail and FULL monetary restitution would be adequate punishment, but I wouldn't feel sorry for him if he got jail time up to a year.
Submitted by: Gene
12:36 PM PST, December 4, 2007
5. You people condoning jail time, will you also pay my taxes for me when the idiots actually send him to jail?
Submitted by: dsds
12:23 PM PST, December 4, 2007
6. Patrick, You call skulking around in the dark vandalizing other people's property to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars brave? Vandalize any of your neighbors property recently? I can assure you anyone who does what this man did is a coward! He may not deserve 30 years in prison but he does deserve some time in jail, being forced to pay restitution and being forced to leave the community.
Submitted by: Linda Schwartz
12:14 PM PST, December 4, 2007
7. I agree with Mr. Paul Bunyan, Mr Hoffman should do time. Not years and years, but enough to show the breaking the law has consequences. He knew I was against the law, yet he had the temerity to think, "I know better than the state legislature, and screw all my neighbors, I do want". Well buddy, think about it when you're in the slam or teather for at least 45 days.
Submitted by: Peter Cooke
12:08 PM PST, December 4, 2007
8. The average person doesn't have a view home. That is why so many of the people commenting here don't relate to this tree slasher. If most of the homeowners had views in this area, there would have been a tree heighth limitation and everyone would be happy. There would have been no trial, no slashing, no burden to the taxpayers.
Submitted by: View Lover
12:00 PM PST, December 4, 2007
9. The LA Times article missed a few key points. Hoffman would only cut through half of the tree -- waiting for big wind to blow it down when he wasn't there. People could have been killed. For those of you who think I'm over-reacting - the total cost of his "arborcide" was $240,000 to replace 541 trees cut down by Hoffman. So don't feel sorry for this jerk and throw the book at him. At the very least they should make him plant trees along the Nevada Freeway system in the middle of July.
Submitted by: maryann
11:49 AM PST, December 4, 2007
10. I can't help but think that giving this guy 35 years, when murderers, rapists, and child molesters get so much less, is just extreme. He should have to pay and/or replace every tree he destroyed and move out of the community. If he loves the strip so much, let him go live on it in a condo where he can see it up close and personal.
Submitted by: Page
11:37 AM PST, December 4, 2007
11. He's out of synch with his community. people plant and nurture trees trying to stem the tide of de forestation due to logging, urbanization and natural disasters. So more and more trees areas a big deal, bearing the brunt of providing oxygen, root systems to hold soil, food, animal habitats, and cooling shade. This man's values are behind the times as we move into a new era of global warming and other increasingly urgent ecological concerns, and so this arrest is emblematic of the changes in values communities are engendering in the face of those concerns. It is a good sign in my opinion.
Submitted by: tree hugger
11:31 AM PST, December 4, 2007
12. to Crash, my thoughts exactly, sounds like if the trees were native to the land then I could understand, but most likely they're a type that depletes the natural resources rather than helps it. The developers should have planted low lying shrubs or other plant native to the environment and leave the poor retired couple alone.
Submitted by: manda
11:28 AM PST, December 4, 2007
13. I want to contribute to a defense fund. He needs to be popped out of jail quick and come to my area.
Submitted by: Defense Fund
11:27 AM PST, December 4, 2007
14. There was air in the desert before trees were planted. So stop with the nonsense about how important trees are in this area. This guy should get an award for bringing attention to the matter.
Submitted by: Tree huggers - yuck
11:26 AM PST, December 4, 2007
15. I understand where this poor man is coming from. He bought his home when it had a view. New selfish neighbors planted non-native trees without regard to their neighbors with views, ruining the values. Who is selfish here - the tree slasher or the neighbors who don't care about others? The same selfish people who planted water loving plants in a desert, that's who. "Going green" means conservation - not planting water loving plants where they don't belong.
Submitted by: Tired of tees in the wrong places
11:23 AM PST, December 4, 2007
16. I am very glad they caught this man. He has no right to destroy trees. If he requires a view of the strip with nothing in the way, then he needs to buy accordingly. I think the sentence should have been stronger and a message needs to sent to those with little regard for others.
Submitted by: Suzanne Ebert
11:23 AM PST, December 4, 2007
17. I am appalled that people have trees in desert areas. It should be illegal. They suck up hundreds of gallons of water every day and create serious fire hazards. Tree nuts are going to kill us all. The man deserves a fine to replace dead trees and labor involved. The ones that are topped could be dangerous when they regrow, because they were someone else's property.
Submitted by: Daphni
11:19 AM PST, December 4, 2007
18. Throw the book at him.
Submitted by: Barbara
11:08 AM PST, December 4, 2007
19. The area where this happened is an upscale area, and the act involved is that of a mentally disturbed guy who needs help. Serving alot of jail time is not the right answer in my opinion. Give him sixty days, and some long term probation with counseling. He should also be required to pay a fine that is commensurate with the damage that he caused. Let him work off part of the fine by making him help replant the trees that he destroyed. Finally, one thing that every developer in the Greater Las Vegas area includes in their sales contract is that views are not guaranteed.
Submitted by: Bob Jack
11:07 AM PST, December 4, 2007
20. He should pay to replace all the trees. Idiots like this deserve to pay for their crimes, but 25 years in prison?? Not sure. AND I hope he is forced to move out of the place.
Submitted by: Andrea Urbas
11:00 AM PST, December 4, 2007
21. It would be one thing is he destroyed his own trees but it is a crime anywhere to destroy what doesn't belong to you. So far he isn't a menace to people or animals so no jail term but probation is in order. Make his punishment that he has to purchase and plant each and every one he damaged/destroyed.
Submitted by: paula treelover
10:45 AM PST, December 4, 2007
22. My view of the San Bernardino Valley in California extended for fifty miles. Then these jerks down the hill began to plant and transplant tall trees. Good for this guy in Las Vegas. I'm sorry I don't have his nerve. What I do have is a bunch of ugly trees getting in my way.
Submitted by: Zeek Wolfe
10:40 AM PST, December 4, 2007
23. No excuses are tolerable in this case for it is the Word: Bless are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth.
Submitted by: Yolman A. Marquez
10:34 AM PST, December 4, 2007
24. Hey, Patrick - The guy bought a home in a community with an HOA. He signed an agreement to abide by the rules. So like a petulant child, he decided to not only ignore the rules but break the law. Now he his paying the price. HOA rules are put in place to protect everyones investment. Are you saying the HOA left him no choice but to vandalize?!?! Now he's guaranteed a home with no trees whatsoever - I'm sure he'll enjoy it!
Submitted by: Steve
10:32 AM PST, December 4, 2007
25. What in the world are the courts thinking? Where is the supposed deterrance of a 30 year jail term? It is non-existent, as this is a unique "crime"-- Who else is out cutting littel tree-lets down? Civil sanctions should be all that is used: Make the guy sell his house and use proceeds to pay for new trees. BTW, WHAT TREE is worth $1,425? Made of pure gold? Trees in Home Depot nursery at 8 feet tall go for $50. bucks a pop. Punish him for "poor taste" in wanting to look at the dumpy Strip of Vegas! Crime is "SWS" Sawing While Stupid
Submitted by: Stephen Crane
10:18 AM PST, December 4, 2007
26. OK, so trees were cut. Plant new trees. Court Orders were made by fools like we, But only God can make a tree. Famous poetry line, true today: Put the old guy to work digging holes and planting trees, Maybe he needs to wear a Red "TA" on his forehead for "Tree Adulterer" as in "The Scarlet Letter" in 1800s literature.
Submitted by: Johnnie TreeHugger
10:16 AM PST, December 4, 2007
27. There are more than enough Alpha Male types in Southern Orange County who would chop down trees between themselves and the oblique ocean view that they barely have without trees. He should be given jail time. If they give jail time for killing a dog they should give jail time for killing something that purifies the air that we breath and stops global warming.
Submitted by: Paul Bunyan
10:14 AM PST, December 4, 2007
28. BIG deficiency in HIS carbon footprint. Make him do community service, planting trees for 30 years, enough to replace what he destroyed, plus enough to zero out his own carbon footprint.
Submitted by: abhaya
10:07 AM PST, December 4, 2007
29. Whether he likes it or not society makes the laws, and if one decides to break them, one will pay the price (if caught). He will be fined, pay court costs, and will suffer probation. Such is our way of doing things.
Submitted by: Den in So. Florida
10:04 AM PST, December 4, 2007
30. The excuses and comments on the part of his wife are so idiotic I had to check and make sure I wasn't reading the National Lampoon or Mad Magazine. But 35 years seems to be a bit much; How about this: Since it is their second home, they should be forced to sell it, use whatever equity is there for restitution, AND LEAVE TOWN. Even if Mr. Hoffman were to go to jail, I would reallly not like to live near somebody as weird as his wife...C'mon, Debbie...
Submitted by: Rich
10:01 AM PST, December 4, 2007
31. I'm kinda curious ... what kinds of trees were these, anyway. Apparently this was a new development, so they were planted, not naturally growing there. So many people rant about the sanctity of those trees, but were those trees using more water than is naturally available there? Were they contributing to Las Vegas' water debt? It sounds to me like the conviction was appropriate and the guy should have to pay. But I suspect the horror that people express is misplaced here, and anything more than a monetary penalty or perhaps community service (i. e. jail time) would be unjustified and a waste of prison space.
Submitted by: Crash
10:01 AM PST, December 4, 2007
32. I wonder how the facts described here would read in some foreign country. Is this as strange as doing time for naming a bear after mohammed?
Submitted by: Les
9:54 AM PST, December 4, 2007
33. He should be charged $347,600 for trimming the trees that he did not own and send him to jail for 34.7 years. This seems a very reasonable amount of fine for this culprit whereas the same amount charged to the Collards in Glendale for trimming his own trees per fire dept's order was obscene and ridiculous. The tall trees are there for good reasons, to block the ever glowing neon lights of Las Vegar Strip that don't know when the lights should go out for zzzzzzzz we all human beings need some time. Trees are lifesavers.
Submitted by: lasvegastreefines
9:52 AM PST, December 4, 2007
34. If he ownes 2 house's, surely he can pay restitution. Restitution and probation will insure that the trees are replanted and the taxpayers don't have to pay for a lenthy prison term. $250,000 fine will surely ruin his retirement more than a few months in jail.
Submitted by: Saving the taxpayers
9:46 AM PST, December 4, 2007
35. The arbor murderer needs to spend some months in jail and some time restoring the neighborhood back both in trees and trust. His time in jail will give him a break from his wife who seems to have some culpability in all of this lame cul de sac insanity.
Submitted by: Rob
9:44 AM PST, December 4, 2007
36. A lengthy prison term is just ridiculous, just have him pay to get the trees replanted, they are just plants and can be purchased again.
Submitted by: John
9:42 AM PST, December 4, 2007
37. Come on those people in athum are wacked out anyway, i know because i live in the henderson green valley area from 95-01. But to put this guy in prison is totally overboard, make him replant them at his own cost and the 1,450 for a mesquite thats deffently BS they grow wild all over the area.
Submitted by: pk-in-the-mesa
9:42 AM PST, December 4, 2007
38. I bet he'd settle for the view from a jail cell, trees & all!
Submitted by: RLD
9:26 AM PST, December 4, 2007
39. shame on patrick for endorsing taking the law into one's own hands. shame on hoffman for doing just that. he should have read the community rules before buying into the development. we live in a 100 year old historic neighborhood in kansas city missouri and have the strongest single family ordinance in the state. when you move here you sign off on the restrictions mandated by the historic and single family designations. break the rules at your own peril. hoffman should be required to pay restitution. booted out of the community and sent back to arizona.
Submitted by: dr no
9:18 AM PST, December 4, 2007
40. Guess he's not a "tree hugger", huh.
Submitted by: Frank Stanton
9:06 AM PST, December 4, 2007
41. Hoffman definitely deserves time and a massive fine for destroying and vandalizing private property - would we demand anything less from urban taggers? On the other hand, planting these trees in the middle of the desert is also inane. Ideally, the developer would go to prison also, but that isn't likely.
Submitted by: Salvador
9:04 AM PST, December 4, 2007
42. His sentence should be to re-plant more trees than the amount that he cut down. Sending to jail for 30 years is nonsese. That would be a waste of tax payer's dollars. Make him plant and care over 10,000 trees, and give him a lower jail sentence.
Submitted by: Charles
9:04 AM PST, December 4, 2007
43. This is Karma... He was dishonest and got caught committing a crime, and now he is getting what is just. He was cutting down trees for personal gain, just because he wanted a view of the Las Vegas Strip. It is not as if the trees were a menace or a danger to his house. Sounds like vanity to me, not a person who cherish all living things. Rules and regulations are put in place for a reason, because are ancestors continued to destroy wildlife and wilderness for their personal vanity. Maybe he should be sentenced to live in a tree house for 1-year, and 500 hours of community work replanting vegetation.
Submitted by: Karma?
9:01 AM PST, December 4, 2007
44. Crabby old man clearly has more problems than just his view. Who WANTS to see the Strip?? I'd rather have a view of trees any time! If you want to see overdevelopment and garish lights, live downtown! I'm not shedding tears over his sentence, but I do think his wife might want to have him checked for signs of dementia.
Submitted by: SJS
9:00 AM PST, December 4, 2007
45. He might have been better off killing a person. The possible length of the sentence seems absurd.
Submitted by: natrayger
8:54 AM PST, December 4, 2007
46. How about 30 years of planting trees, one a week and selling the house to pay for the trees damaged? This sends a better message to others and gives him time to reflect on his action. To exchange 35 years in prison for a $250k crime comes out to $7k/year. It will cost me and you over $30k/year to put him in prison, or over $1million for the 35 years. Plus what good will it do him?
Submitted by: Rick
8:53 AM PST, December 4, 2007
47. He is indeed a criminal and a liar but 30 years in prison? On the taxpayer's dime? That's insane especially when there are father rapers and other lowlifes waling the streets. (hat tip to Arlo Guthrie) I thought the only way you could get in trouble in Las Vegas is if you're O.J. Simpson or if you have sex with a prostitute on the hood of your car in a church parking lot at high noon on Easter Sunday. (another hat tip to Planet Charlie the comedian)
Submitted by: Susan
8:50 AM PST, December 4, 2007
48. What an idiot. Every year that guy will spend in prison is a good year.
Submitted by: LAmike
8:43 AM PST, December 4, 2007
49. I live in the community where this happened and it was sickining to wake up, go for a drive and see another 20-40 trees were sawed off 4 feet from the ground. Hoffman himselg has some 18 trees on his small 6,000 square foot lot. I wonder if he or his young wife would like it if someone came and cut down all their trees? Not likely. They'd probably call the police and press charges, demanding that the tresspasser be put in jail! What is the correct jail term? It's whatever is the term that someone who steals a half-million dollars from a bank gets.
Submitted by: Doug Turner
8:36 AM PST, December 4, 2007
50. He should get LIFE WITHOUT!!! Trees are beautiful, the bright lights are not, to me anyway. I live in Carson City, NV, right next to the High Sierra mountains, and they are just beautiful. I have over 70 trees on our acre, and love everyone of them. mountainsand
Submitted by: Sandy Castor
8:23 AM PST, December 4, 2007
51. he's been held without bail for 2 years? on what should be a civil crime? definitely fine the hell out of him, get all the trees re-planted, and put him on some kind of really long probation, but 2 years in jail is already enough time.
Submitted by: df
8:20 AM PST, December 4, 2007
52. Vandalism is vandalism. Would people want to give him a break if he was a Black teenager with a can of spray paint?
Submitted by: DFC
8:12 AM PST, December 4, 2007
53. Put him to work in a tree farm for a few years.
Submitted by: Bert
8:09 AM PST, December 4, 2007
54. Give'em the chair! Seriously though, he should pay for the replacements but not serve time unless he does it again (and even then, just a little).
Submitted by: Bob
8:04 AM PST, December 4, 2007
55. Confess what you did was wrong, and take the punishment like a man. Tell the wife to keep her trap shut and refrain from spewing all of the lame excuses. The statement "It's like murdering someone and it's OK" is untrue and pure crybaby nonsense. You have been convicted, now be a man, and take it like a man.
Submitted by: Austin
7:37 AM PST, December 4, 2007
56. Make him pay restitution and replant the tress, but 30 years for cutting trees is crazy. Trees can grow again, it is not worth a lengthy prison term.
Submitted by: DLS
7:21 AM PST, December 4, 2007
57. It is mind boggling how anybody could seek to clear a view of the damn strip? From the article"Plant life is precious to him," said Debbie Hoffman, 44. "It's not a human life, but it's a life. When a bush would die, he wouldn't be crying-upset, but he'd be upset." Indeed, Mr. Hoffman, trees are alive! They absorb carbon dioxide, and give off oxygen. They provide esthetic beauty to an arid desert climate. You are a low life of poor intelligence, a real worm, and I do so hope they give you jail time?
Submitted by: Joe
6:59 AM PST, December 4, 2007
58. Seems like compromise is non existent with both sides having legitimate grips; Hoffman disagreed with the non flexible community so called leaders and took matters into his own hands it seems. Good for him and shame on those who would not compromise and now seek vengeance for his lack of cowardice and knee bending. To those seeking revenge remember Karma and for those who believe, Christ. Anybody got any stones?
Submitted by: Patrick
6:43 AM PST, December 4, 2007