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J. Pat Carter / AP, file
White supremacist Dennis Mahon, given a 40-year sentence for a bomb attack, is seen here talking to journalists before appearing before the Oklahoma County Grand Jury investigating the Oklahoma City bombing.
A white supremacist likely will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a federal judge sentenced him to 40 years in prison Tuesday for a 2004 bombing that wounded a black city official in suburban Phoenix.
Jurors in February convicted Dennis Mahon, 61, of three federal charges stemming from a package bomb that injured Don Logan — Scottsdale's diversity director at the time — and a secretary.
They stopped short of finding him guilty of a hate crime after a six-week trial that included dramatic testimony from Logan and a female government informant dubbed a "trailer park Mata Hari" by defense attorneys.
'Trailer park Mata Hari' case: White supremacist twins' bomb trial wraps up
In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge David Campbell said he believed the bombing was premeditated and done to promote an agenda of hate and racism.
He called it an "act of domestic terrorism."
Campbell defended the decision not to classify it as a hate crime. "The jury was never asked if this was a hate crime," he said, although they were asked to consider whether Logan was targeted because of his race, The Arizona Republic reported.
Ross D. Franklin / AP, file
The bomb sent by Mahon blew up in the hands of Don Logan, seen here in 2009.
"Mr. Mahon acted to promote racial discord," Campbell said, according to the Republic.
Logan told the Republic after the sentencing that he believed Campbell's comments meant it was essentially a hate-crime conviction. "He didn't know me; all he hated was what I represented," Logan said.
Mahon, meanwhile, maintained his innocence, telling the crowded courtroom: "I didn't do this bombing."
He said he felt bad for the victims, "but I can't apologize for something I didn't do."
Mahon had faced between seven and 100 years in prison. Since there is no parole in the federal system, he likely will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
His identical twin brother, Daniel, also faced a charge in the case but was acquitted.
The package bomb detonated in Logan's hands on Feb. 26, 2004, in a Scottsdale city building.
Former stripper as informant
Prosecutors alleged the Mahon brothers bombed Logan on behalf of a group called the White Aryan Resistance, which they said encourages members to act as "lone wolves" and commit violence against non-whites and the government.
They showed surveillance tapes at trial of the brothers referring to Logan in racial slurs. They also played a voicemail that Dennis Mahon left at Scottsdale's diversity office just months before the bombing in which he angrily said: "The white Aryan resistance is growing in Scottsdale. There's a few white people who are standing up."
Defense attorneys said someone working for the city of Scottsdale was likely the perpetrator because Logan's job made him unpopular.
During Tuesday's hearing, Logan said he believes his skin color was the motivation for the attack. He told the judge that Dennis Mahon's actions warranted the maximum sentence.
"Don Logan didn't ask to be here. I am here by default. I am here for justice," Logan said. "Dennis Mahon does not deserve to be free."
During the trial, defense attorneys heavily criticized the use of 41-year-old Rebecca Williams as an informant, nicknaming her the "trailer park Mata Hari" — a reference to the Dutch exotic dancer who was convicted of working as a spy for Germany during World War I.
Investigators met the former stripper through her brother, an informant himself on the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, and recruited her for the Mahon case, directing her to act like a government separatist and racist. She wore revealing clothes and sent racy photos to the brothers to win their trust.
'They got walloped': Masked group attacks alleged white supremacists in Illinois restaurant
Williams met the brothers in January 2005 after investigators set her up in a government-provided trailer at a Catoosa, Okla., campground where the brothers were staying at the time. A Confederate flag was placed in her window, and prosecutors say the Mahons introduced themselves within minutes of her arrival.
Dennis Mahon opened up to Williams as their conversations were recorded, telling her how to make bombs after she told him a fictitious story that she wanted to harm a child molester she knew.
In one conversation, she asked Mahon if he had ever successfully detonated a bomb, to which he replied: "Yeah, diversity officer."
Logan testified at trial about the unbearable pain he felt after he opened the package, describing the lights going out, the room filling with smoke and debris falling from the ceiling.
Logan, who now works as a diversity administrator in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, was hospitalized for three days.
He needed four surgeries to remove shrapnel from his arm and hand, do a skin graft on his severely damaged forearm and restore some use to one of his fingers that nearly had to be amputated.
'Self-aggrandizing claims'?
Dennis Mahon's defense team has maintained his innocence, with his attorney Deborah Williams crying in court Tuesday and saying: "I don't believe Dennis Mahon has done this."
"He has not lived a good life in the way that most people would think of it," she said.
The defense attorneys argued their client "often makes exaggerated self-aggrandizing claims" that aren't true, that he was an alcoholic who constantly was drinking Everclear, and that his statements to Williams were just meant to impress her.
Mahon's lawyers also argued no evidence showed the bombing was done with the intent to seriously injure or kill Logan. They noted there were no deaths or life-threatening injuries from the bombing.
Prosecutors, who recommended a sentence of more than 60 years, said Dennis Mahon intended to send a political message in trying to kill Logan.
The Mahons were living in the Phoenix area at the time of the bombing but left days afterward and were arrested in 2009 in Illinois.
Dennis Mahon was found guilty of conspiracy to damage buildings and property by means of explosives; malicious damage of a building by means of explosives; and distribution of information related to explosives
Daniel Mahon was acquitted of conspiracy to damage buildings and property.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I guess I am a bit confused as to what a 'hate' crime really is... first of all, I personally believe that all crimes are hate crimes... secondly, if 'hate' crimes are commited because you hate someone for who they are, then why is this NOT a 'hate' crime but the trayvon martin case IS a 'hate' crime? At least we know this was WAS commited for the sole purpose of hate... right? so confusing as to what IS and what ISN'T...
Kisldb,
A hate crime is when a crime is prepuated against a person (be they white, black,
brown, man, woman, christain, jewish. muslim, gay, straight, etc) because
they are that demographic. If being a member of that specific demographic can
be shown to be the motivating factor for the crime, it's considered a hate
crime. It's not considered a hate crime if a robbery, an assualt, murder, rape,
etc is committed against a person who just happens to be one of these
categories (that would make everything a hate crime) but BECAUSE they are one
of these demographics. It's proof of the motivating factor that distinguishes
it from a regular crime and makes it more inciteful. It's bad enough if you get
assualted, but if you get assualted BECAUSE you're a man, or because you're
white, or because you're straight, or because you're gay, or because you're
muslim, etc that makes the crime more insiduous and that justifies a stronger
sentence. Just like a stronger sentence is mandated for 1st degree murder v
involuntary manslaughter, or sexual assualt against someone under 13, v an
older person. There are commonly degrees of crimes that make it more insiduous
and deserving of a stronger sentence. A Hate Crime designation is one such
example. In general you do have to have pretty strong evidence to support that it is the motivating factor, so crimes are not always prosecuted as such, though they may well be hate crimes. I don't know why this crime wasn't prosecuted as such, as it does seem obvious to me too.
Sometimes it gets scary. Our FBI in action. Oklahoma city division: Hey Clem! Whut Bubba? Les go rent a traler and get a feemal infermant to set init an cee ifn we kin cetch us a white soopremacist. Bubba, thets a gooder idear, hey we kin avon put a cornfaderate flag inna winder. En hav her in em real tite lowcut shirts. yountoo? Yea, les go.
I wonder if the FBI has a pamphlet on using trailer trash women to attract white supremicists? they probably do. Right next to the pamphlet explaining not to pick up prostitues in foreign countries. I mean doggon, but i guess it worked.
As the oild irish saying goes: "do the crime, do the time" Age, health, social status should not effect the length of sentence
I want to know how this was NOT a hate crime...!!!! I want the prosecutor to tell us exactly WHY he did not add hate crime status to the list of charges. Was he the defendant's cousin or something? And the article didn't say, but I want to be sure NONE of the sentence was "suspended," like they do here in Virginia almost every time, which makes an utter mockery of the sentencing process.
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DOMESTIC TERROR IN THE USA
Most law enforcement today commit domestic terror. Domestic terror is not about only bombs - it is about smashing the doors down of innocent US civilians claiming that they made a mistake just to get inside of your home or to make a false arrest and smashing the ribs against a political activist or law professional to obtain and confiscate evidence against them - it is about dragging innocent Americans across their lawns and pavement in restraints for no probable cause - and it is shoving the face of a 23 year old man into rock hard pavement and stunning him to death.
You all know I'm right.
Call in the troops - as it should be then.
We know who is soliciting all of this and it is not the average American - but Washington, DC and its ultra-billionaire friends including the one that sits as a humble mayor of NYC.
Too much money and too much time - to intrude on YOU.
I don't want to make light of what this man was done wrong, but, when they mention his being sentenced and, in the same paragraph, add racism, I can't help but think of how the White House Squatter (yup, Obumble, himself) used the same ploy to gain entrance to an office he was neither prepared to take over, nor capable of running. Not only that, Obama's crimes include the bankrupting of America, which has been done, for the sake of his Muslim cohorts, overseas, so we should lock Obama - along with the ugly bitch, he married, who has spent millions in taxpayer funds, going shopping - up - AT HARD LABOR - until he realizes he cannot bring down this country.
After he realizes that, lock him in a cell and throw away the key!
Showing the world your lack of character and mentality. You must be so proud of yourself.
No, no. He is wearing his white robes and hood.
Gary-How many voices do you hear? I mean besides Glen Beck, Rush and Savage? You seem to bring a new flavor to deranged. Sage flavored lunacy-like Arizona.
We (USA) were already having issues even before Obama. Barack has inheireted many of Bush's mess. And I am sorry but his wife is hot.
Your entire comment is racist. Do you feel better about yourself?
Do the residents of Arizona realize how their homegrown radicals are make the world turn against them. The pathetic racists, the sheriff, the narrow-minded governor, all show the state of mentality growing in Arizona. A once great state that I was proud to be living in, now a collection of birthers and skinheads. A cesspool of hatred and intolerance.
Lesson learned for all of the ignorant, uneducated, racists freaks that are out here!!
I am from KCMO and this happend on 2/26/2012 a couple of days before the Trayvon Martin killing. This incident happed between a white young man who is 13 and two 16 yr old black teenagers who all whent to East High School.
It was in the newpapers, and a local radio personatliy at KPRS which is the oldest black owned radio station in the country had his mom on to talk about hate crimes in KC.
Trayvon Martin's case got national attention because his parents went contracted Rev Al Sharpton, this mother didn't contact a national group who deals in hate crimes, if she had it would have made the nationl news.
Well, the Nazi wannabe got 40 years.. this is the kind of guy that would love to turn back the clock and have black people as second class citizens or worse.. maybe, the courts should turn back the clock for him.. and stone him to death.. not for the bomb but, for the evil that's in his heart - What's the deal in Arizona?? This state is on the news every day.. racist Sheriff, racist Governor, racist profiling of it's own people.. Why are they soo, angry over there?? If its the heat.. may i suggest Iceland or maybe an Island in Antarctica.
When JUDGEMENT DAY comes, do you think that God is going to take the time to divide people up? NO! We are ALL GODS CHILDREN no matter your RACE/RELIGION/SEXUAL ORIENTATION, and until THIS country realizes that, we will always be doomed to failure! I LOVE EVERYONE because the BIBLE tells me to do so; and im not better than anyone, prettier, skinnier, richer et al im just ME and ive taught my children to love absolutely everyone, even if they dont love you back, you're doing right because its what GOD says to do!
This race thing is so OLD AND TIRING, PLEASE people stop fighting each other and start loving each other more! You NEVER KNOW when/if you'll need someone of another race et al
Genesis 19:24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah
rimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
execution he deserves for being a traitor because once u become terrorist u are a tratior
but wear a looney toons tie to court wtf i hope it doesnt have daffy on there isnt he black lol or does this man color it white
But the Black Ass Panthers can still run around chanting Death to all Whiteys and it's legal!
Kyle-$$$$$$$$$$$$$(speech) is not a bomb. This is minute group of idiots. You are part of a much larger group of mouth breathers and Luddites. There is no place in America for either group.
I think IF they do this, and mr. whitey is bothered by it, whoever mr. whitey is. he should say something about it.
Jesus is Lord!
Jesus is a myth! ((fortunately--given his propensity for everything vile and evil.))
Fuel,
On your death bed, while in pain, you'll likely "convert." It is amazing how many atheist find Jesus and God when in pain and knowing death is near. You'll see.
But, in response to your actual statement, it shows your ignorance. Jesus is not a myth, no matter what your beliefs are. Whether you believe he is the "Savior" is different, as there are enough documented facts to show that Jesus existed.
Funny, another athest wanting to rewrite History fails again.
Jerry,
Perhaps you should step out of your little tiny church world--your looking at the universe thru a straw. There is ZERO contemporary documentation for the existence of Jesus--only decades after death--hersay and rumors. (And that was a time when there were reports of ppl rising from the grave constantly as well as virgin births all over the map.) Maybe he was a real person maybe not it really doesn't matter. The point is: What does he represent? He promoted some very noble virtues (we all know the rhetoric). He also represents an evil, vicious, vile, genocidal horrific version of a "God" that we should all be glad is just a myth.
Do you believe that the Bible is Gods' word? The Bible is a litany of horror. It promotes murder, rape, genocide, slavery, child sacrifice, on and on. (Don't tell me about context--under NO context are these mass crimes justifiable.) Yes even God sacrificed himself to himself for 'sins' that he created me to commit!??
Not a chance God is as small, backwards and barbaric as YOU think. I believe God will punish you for being so immoral, incredulous and mindless as too accept Christianity. Not a chance I will be hurt for using my God given mind resulting in the rejection of your bronze age beliefs.
Fuel, sorry, you are wrong. I guess in "revisionist" history, it's "ok" to omit that which you don't agree with.
Sorry...OH, check your calendar of time, but why bother with history, when you can rewrite it, right?
As far as your comments about the Bible being horror, I'll not get into that, as you clearly have been reading too much lefty garb that demonizes and takes things out of context. You guys are good at that, taking things out of context to be something other than what they are. READ NOT paragraphs, NOT chapters, not "books OF the Bible" but READ the BIBLE.
Sorry, you are wrong.
Again, you'll be praying, just hope it's not too late for ya.
As far as my "tiny little church world" shows the typical views. It's the "people" (used loosely) like you that preach tolerance, but it's "ok" for you to spew hate. Funny how that works, isn't it?
Sorry, again, people like you don't have a clue of things, so you make stuff up, take things out of context and attempt to validate based on LIES.
But even worse, YOU are the one that stated Jesus is a myth, while that's your opinion, it's doesn't speak much for accepting others' views, which is the the problem with you lefties. Sorry, you are no longer worth the time.
Though I don't know ya, I'll do something for ya...I'll pray, you will too...just, again, hope it's not too late for ya.
Later,
Jerry,
You haven't even read your own damn Bible have you! Let us be honest here for a change.
Oh yes I HATE murder, genocide, slavery, mind control, idiocy and the like. Interesting that you can't take proper criticism of your backwards barbaric beliefs with out viewing it as hatred for what--you? Nah! I feel pity for you and FEAR for our world and our SPECIES because so many others are equally thoughtless.
You pray for me and I will THINK for you, OK? BTW--you don't really want to see me in heaven--let's be honest--you relish the thought of me suffering infinite injustice and torture, for what--for challenging your beliefs?. Am I correct?
Uhoh.... I do hope Mr. Mahon is being sent to an all-white prison. They have those in AZ don't they?
Why is everybody arguing on here? You all seem racist to me! The man is guilty and sentenced. What is the arguing back and forth on here about anyway? He was not charged with a racial hate crime so that is not what it was! Let it go! There was probably something personal going on here between these two guys--who knows maybe they were gay together and got into a spat and one took the other one out! lol. nothing surprises me anymore in this day we now live in.
leave it to somebody to make this out to be something it clearly wasn't. can you read? did you read the article? there was nothing going on here but racial hatred.
It's a shame in this day & age, we still have violence! But the blame doesn't start with his kind. It goes way back to when, we should have NEVER MADE SLAVES of the BLACKS or anyone for that matter! We brought them here and they deserve to be here now!
TR Rose, when you say WE...I'd love to know WHO you are referencing? Was it MY ancestors, from Ireland? Was it MY ancestors from Germany? Was it MY ancestors from Scotland? Was it the ancestors of the BLACKS in Africa that sold their OWN people into slavery? Was it the BLACKS in Africa that HAD these same ancestors as SLAVES themselves?
See, SLAVERY isn't UNIQUE to BLACKS, as many Americans can't comprehend. It existed LONG before America was a NATION. It existed in the "pre-United States" with Native Americans. It existed in Rome, Greece, China, Asia, AFRICA, England, Germany, etc...
It's a SHAME that so many "I assume" Americans don't comphehend the true history of racism.
Thanks
Jerry
What the hell are you yelling about? This has nothing to do with that!
And jerry, being taken from your own homeland where you were doing what you wanted to do and being forced, beaten, chained, raped, murdered, hung and almost wiped from the United States has nothing to do with your "they sold their own people...blah blah blah sh*t" "slavery isn't unique to blacks" well it's a whole new ball game the way it happened...don't try to clean it up and make it look differently.
Why do all these white supremacist/militia/domestic terrorist idiots look like a 150 lb. sausage skin stuffed with 200 lbs. of pudding??
Maybe they wouldn't feel so threatened if they got to the gym once in a while.
Arizona?
Why doesn't that surprise me?
How much time did Bill Ayers get? Open your eyes, ask questions, i know you have heard of him. Go on line and look him up. Then read what it sez about him. Then ask why he is not in jail. It should be a two way street. Forget liberal, conservative, dem, rep crap. We need to treat everybody the same.
Do people still deny that racism exists? Perhaps denying racism is the new form of racism that Bill Maher once said.
cliff,
Racism has existed for centuries. I hope you aren't suggesting that because this is a "white" man doing BAD against a "black" that it justifies your statement, as that'd be very naive, and in a lot of ways, racist. I'm not saying that's your insinuation, but sure seems that way with your words.
Racist predates United States, existed in Africa, Asia, Europe, S. America, Austrailia and what's now America, PRIOR to "whites" enslaving blacks in America.
Whites are racist, blacks are racist, Asias are racist, Hispanics are racist. NAME a RACE and they have been and still have racists in their population.
It just sickens me as to how in today's world so many are blind to this. Racism is BAD, but it's not exclusive to "white" men in America.
Many examples, just google. The only way to address "racism" is to be willing to recognize that it's everywhere and not "exclusive" to one race.
I've heard "honkey" used in black community all the time, that is racist, period. "Spic" is racist. I could go ON, and these are not "exclusive" to whites.
Racism hasn't died, but the MYTH that it is "whites" in America needs to, or it'll never end.
Show me some blacks bombing whites...RIGHT NOW...SHOW ME?
Show me ANY OTHER RACE...bombing people because of the color of their skin...I'm waiting.
As a terrorist shouldn't he be sent to guantanamo for jailing?
...aren't most bombings premeditated? After all, you have make a bomb. They don't just grow on trees.
not only should these offenders spend the rest of their lives incarcerated ,they should work hard every day of the week (except Sundays,when they can perhaps reflect upon their transgressions against society) bent over in a field picking cotton or beans in order to support their sorry asses so not one cent of taxpayers money is wasted on their existance .
I guess this was classified as a "Strong Dislike" crime with potential for upgrade to Hate crime