Bruce Turnidge, Son Joshua Turnidge Could Get Death Penalty for 2008 Bank Bombing

SALEM, Ore. (CBS/AP) An Oregon jury was set to hear arguments Thursday over whether Bruce and Joshua Turnidge, a gun-loving father and son duo who authorities say despised President Barack Obama, should be sentenced to death for planting a bomb that killed two police officers in Woodburn, Ore. and wounded a third two years ago.

A Marion County Circuit Court jury deliberated for less than five hours Wednesday to convict 58-year-old Bruce Turnidge and his 34-year-old son, Joshua, of aggravated murder and other charges. Now, that same jury must determine whether they will receive the death penalty.

Prosecutors say the men planted a homemade bomb at the West Coast Bank in Woodburn two years ago this week, killing William Hakim, a police bomb technician who was trying to dismantle it, as well as Woodburn police Capt. Tom Tennant. The town's police chief, Scott Russell, lost a leg in the explosion, which authorities say was part of an attempt to rob the bank.

Kelly Mix, a brother-in-law of Tennant, said he was satisfied with the verdict.

"For us, it doesn't change that fact that my brother-in-law is dead," he told The Oregonian. "I'm not opposed to the death penalty if the jury thinks that's the right punishment."

During the two-month trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the Turnidges harbored fantasies of building bombs, robbing banks and starting a militia. They hatched the bank robbery plan because they needed money to keep their biodiesel company afloat, prosecutors said.

According to testimony, father and son exulted in the Oklahoma City bombing, and Bruce Turnidge viewed Timothy McVeigh as a hero. Prosecutors also said both men believed the Obama administration would crack down on their rights to own guns. The attack occurred about a month after Obama was elected.

If sentenced to death, the Turnidges would have automatic appeals to the Oregon Supreme Court, which would trigger a judicial review that could last decades. Other sentencing options include life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years or life sentence with no parole.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
December 8, 2010 - Bruce and Joshua Turnidge, Father-Son Bank Bombers, Convicted of Murdering Two Ore. Cops in '08
November 22, 2010 - Bruce Turnidge and Son Joshua Turnidge on Trial for 2008 Murder of Ore. Cops