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High court upholds death sentences for Woodburn bombers

The Oregon Supreme Court on Friday upheld the death sentences of Bruce and Joshua Turnidge, the father and son each convicted of aggravated murder for the 2008 bombing of a Woodburn bank. The sentences were upheld when the court denied the Turnidges' petitions seeking reconsideration.

<p>Bruce Turnidge in court in 2010. (Photo: Statesman Journal file)</p>

The Oregon Supreme Court on Friday upheld the death sentences of Bruce and Joshua Turnidge, the father and son each convicted of aggravated murder for the 2008 bombing of a Woodburn bank. The sentences were upheld when the court denied the Turnidges' petitions seeking reconsideration.

In May, the court unanimously upheld the death sentences when reviewing arguments from the Turnidges's attorneys that a new trial should be granted because of lower court errors.

Marion County District Attorney Walt Beglau said Sunday that he believes justice has been served in this case. Officials from the Oregon Judicial Department were not immediately available to comment on whether the Turnidges have now exhausted their appeals.

The bank bombing killed Oregon State Police trooper William Hakim and Woodburn Police officer Tom Tennant. Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russel was injured in the explosion, and suffered a leg amputation. One bank employee was injured.

The bomb exploded after law enforcement mistook it for a hoax and tried to dismantle it.

Evidence presented at trial showed the Turnidges were motivated by anti-government views.

It is unlikely the Turnidges will be executed soon because Oregon has a moratorium on executions. There are 33 men and one woman on death row in Oregon.

Send questions, comments or news tips to gfriedman2@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6653. Follow on Twitter @GordonRFriedman.

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