Alleged Tree Poisoner selling gear to cover expenses

Harvey Updyke mug shot

((ht: al.com))

This is weird. Although, we guess you gotta do what you've gotta do to raise money.

The family of the man accused of poisoning the Toomer's Corner oak tree in Auburn, Harvey Updyke, have created a website to help Updyke raise money to cover court costs and other expenses.

The site is offering T-Shirts, stickers and autographed photos. And yes, the t-shirts say "Free Harvey Updyke".

The page is on Facebook, you can find it RIGHT HERE

AL.com provides the original story RIGHT HERE

While we think this is morally wrong on multiple levels, we can't argue that the Updyke family has a right to do this. And we know, and think Auburn fans should be outraged by it. But again, there is nothing they can do about it.

Ultimately a court will decide if there is enough evidence to prove if Updyke did actually do what he is accused of. It's kind of sad that he has become somewhat of a regional celebrity, but these days it doesn't take much to get that title. And while we get the "Raising Money for Legal Expenses" part of this, the paying off the wife's "Back Surgery" isn't exactly something you can do by "Raising Money".

Not that we'd do it, but if an Auburn fan wanted to ask someone about whether the Updyke's registered as a "Non-Profit" or if they are charging taxes for the gear might be a good question to ask some folks in the "Authority" business.