Posted on 02/02/2007 9:00:10 AM PST by thestob
Trail of terror for cyclists may lead to prison BY JASON WOMACK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
A man who police say used wires, broken bottles and nails to wage an eco-terrorism campaign against Lubbock cyclists could spend time in prison.
David G. Knape, 62, of Lubbock staged at least a year-long campaign against unsuspecting cyclists, according to police reports. He stretched wires between trees at "neck level" and put nails and glass in the pathway of cyclists.
"This could kill someone," said Dewayne Wallace, an avid cyclist whose friend was flung from his bicycle and cut across the neck by one of the wires.
Wallace spent months looking for Knape, who now faces two felony charges of attempted aggravated assault with a weapon.
Each count is a third-degree felony, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Detective Rene Martinez questioned Knape about the traps placed along the mountain biking trails, just east of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and along Canyon Lake No. 6.
The trails are used by families and joggers and are designated for biking. Amateur and experienced riders frequent the paths.
Knape told the detective he was only trying to protect the environment.
"He just loves nature," Martinez said.
Phone calls placed to Knape went unanswered.
Cyclists did not always have a name to connect to the traps found along the trails. But many knew of the hazards and would even warn each other on Internet message boards.
"There were numerous traps along the trails, including wire strung between trees and chest/neck level," according to a March 26, 2006, posting on the Caprock Multi-Sport Club Forum. "Be careful out there."
Lubbock Police Capt. Lance Slack, who also rides a bike, said cyclists need to warn each other, but they also need to notify authorities, particularly when people can be seriously injured
"People have been seriously hurt or killed just because they are cyclists," he said.
Wallace said he tracked Knape for about six months. He photographed the wires and footprints. He then turned it all over to police.
At first, he suspected teenagers, but whoever was setting these traps was "too energetic," he said.
Large rocks had been pushed into the trail and wires that cyclists had taken down would reappear. Whoever was setting the traps was just too persistent.
"I was memorizing his pattern," Wallace said. "We were not out to beat him up or kill him. We just wanted him to stop."
Wallace caught Knape during an afternoon bike ride in November.
Knape was tying a wire to a tree, according to reports.
In statements to police, Knape said he was trying to protect area wildlife.
"He was trying to protect something we care about, too," Wallace said. "I care about nature. That's why I ride a bike."
A Lubbock County grand jury is scheduled to review Knape's case next week.
More proof that "environmentalists" are more anti-human than pro-environment.
No comment.
How long before someone comes onto this thread and says that cyclists deserve whatever they get, just for wearing spandex?
This guy should be seriously punished, IMO. It's one thing to set a lot full of Humvees on fire = an assault on property. Which I am in no way condoning and is in itself a serious crime. It's significantly more serious, indeed, diabolical, to lay "man-traps" designed to inflict injury on people.
Can I start.
Here's the obligatory Free Republic I hate cyclists beacause they ride bikes on my roads, go too slow and wear gay spandex rant.
I'm glad they caught the freak.
I was on a century ride once where someone dumped nails on the road. Really class move that was.
Red on Red... Move along...
Darn, you beat me to it.
Oops. I forgot to mention that I was joking. I'm gonna catch it now!
The liberal nut jobs are totally losing it. What a bunch of freaks.
"We were not out to beat him up or kill him.
No comment."
I'll comment because I've been in a similar situation and three of us beat the crap out of the moron when we caught him. This was motorcycles, barbed wire and a friend with a scarred-up face because some a$$hole "didn't like the noise" where we rode.
There was never any poice involvemnet but the guy never strung barbed wire again as far as I know.
But this looks like it was along a public trail. The hiking-boot-wearing bunnyhugger apparently thought the bicycle-riding-bunnyhuggers were not sufficiently gentle in the hugging of the bunnies.
No matter how pure one is in a leftist cause de jour, there will always be somebody to denounce them as not sufficiently faithful.
"He just loves nature," Martinez said.
Kill he human plague raping Mother Earth. Yeah. We got it Knape. (Lock him up tight, Joe. This one is a keeper.)
Not Guilty!!! (Is she wearing a thong?)
Glad you're just joking. I would'a had to have some words with you.
Actually a good number of cyclists are pretty conservative. We have to be to be able to work to afford the expensive bikes and the gear.
Holy Cr%p BatMan. Now that's some nice spandex
Sorry man, I guess my sarcasm wasn't dripping enough.
I'm one of the guys who wears spandex, not cause it looks good (it doesn't) but because it's so darn functional
keep scrolling.......spandex can look good
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