Jury convicts controversial Squaw Valley man on gun charge
BY PABLO LOPEZ
July 15, 2016
An 82-year-old pig farmer who contends Sheriff Margaret Mims and other local politicians are out to get him was found guilty Friday of carrying a concealed gun in his truck without a permit.
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Gaede made headlines in 2002 when he used a chainsaw to cut down a tree trunk that many Catholics believed bore a resemblance to the Virgin Mary. The tree trunk took on the unusual shape after being struck by lightning, and a shrine took shape at the site near Avocado Lake. Handwritten prayers to the Virgin Mary were also pinned to the tree.
After he cut down the tree, Gaede reportedly shouted: You Catholics! Theres your Virgin Mary!
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In an interview before his trial, Gaede said he didnt regret his actions.. There were so many of them. They were blocking the roads and dumping trash all over, said Gaede, an atheist. I thought it was kind of stupid to be praying to a tree.
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/crime/article89988582.html
Only an idiot would say atheism caused this. I wonder what they'd say if he branded his cattle with a crescent instead of a swastika.