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Hearing set for Alabama fan who poisoned Auburn oaks
Original Publication Date: October 29, 2019 5:56AM
Publication Updated: April 19, 2025 1:52PM
OPELIKA, Ala. – The University of Alabama fan who admitted poisoning Auburn University’s famed oak trees is due in court for a hearing on whether he should be jailed for not paying restitution.
A Lee County judge scheduled a hearing for Wednesday afternoon for 71-year-old Harvey Updyke, who pleaded guilty to poisoning the trees in 2013.
The retired Texas state trooper wrote in a public Facebook post he’s taking a bus to Auburn from his Louisiana home and expects to be jailed. But a doctor who treats Updyke submitted a letter saying the man is too ill to travel.
Circuit Judge Jacob Walker says he will address Updyke’s medical condition at the hearing.
Records show Updyke has paid only $6,900 of about $800,000 he was ordered to pay in penalties and restitution.
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