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B.J. Viehl Pleads Guilty to ALF Fur Farm Raid

Sep 4th, 2009 by Will Potter

B.J. Viehl has changed his plea to guilty and admitted releasing hundreds of mink from a Utah fur farm as part of an Animal Liberation Front raid. Viehl and his codefendant, Alex Hall, were charged under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.

He now faces up to 5 years in prison.

Alex Hall is still taking his case to trial. Viehl’s supporters put up a message from him on his MySpace page saying that Viehl has not agreed to cooperate, in any way, with prosecutors. Here is his part of his explanation of his decision:

Utah is a very conservative and religiously controlled state, and cases like mine are almost always guilty until proven innocent. Having a politically and religiously biased jury deciding my fate will not be of my best interest. The change of plea hearing will be on September 2nd, 2009. and will basically consist of me admitting guilt and accepting responsibility. This, however, WILL NOT affect Alex negatively in any way. What ever Alex chooses to do with his case, he will have my love and respect.

Meanwhile, the case of another group of activists charged with “animal enterprise terrorism” is moving forward in California. The “AETA 4″–and Alex Hall, in Utah–need your support as they move forward with their legal defense.

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Posted in Activists Arrested, Legal Issues

  • I don't agree with the views of the animal rights activists, but calling what some of them are doing "terrorism" mocks the memories of people killed in real terrorist attacks.
  • Jen
    Stuff like this makes me weep. Isn't there anyone listening to that news report who is able to associate Mink+Farm+Breeding? Obviously its a fur farm, but they never SAY its a fur farm; they leave it ambiguous, because they know that a fair number of people would then AGREE with the act committed.

    More blackout. More media sleight of hand.

    Can't people see how ridiculous this is? To be joyously handing out crimes and punishments such as this, defending capitalism and profit? It doesn't just make me weep, it makes me SICK.
  • "Having a politically and religiously biased jury deciding my fate will not be of my best interest."

    well said, everything seems to be a bit backwards in Utah. 5 years in prison is a long time.

    that is unfortunate, but we are living in an evolving police state.
  • Judith
    I would die for my freedom. I would kill for theirs......
  • I admit not having much direct experience with these North American territories occupied, generally speaking, by Guns and God flag waving characters. (I've been trying to stay only within NYC, LA and SF in USSA.) But, what a tough and painful decision it must have been for Viehl to give in to be victimized by fascist authority knowing that all he did was made an attempt to save some nonhuman persons from torture and murder. However, to be judged, most likely, by a group of Sarah Palin mentality types who value a single-celled human zygote over a fully aware sentient nonhuman being wasn't much of a choice. It must have been that moment when you feel like a total stranger in a foreign hostile place surrounded by creeps whose self serving norms and laws are as frightening, creepy and backwards as they are.

    Once again, we have here the state protecting real terrorists, those who murder and torture while prosecuting as terrorists the individuals who save lives.
  • Lin
    I was told that Alex has also pleaded guilty...does anyone know whether or not this is true?
  • Lisa
    Throw the book at him. He did what is illegal to someone doing what is legal. Leave the country if you don't like its laws. Elsewhere you'd be put to death for your actions attempting to deprive a family of their livlihood. Threatening them! I can assure you this sentence will be a wake up call to someone considering a "free the animals" release night anytime soon. If you feel their freedom(the animals) is worth yours ...go for it! I didn't think so. LMAO
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