Fallbrook
The Oregon Court of Appeals in Portland has ruled that white supremacist Tom Metzger still can appeal a $12.5-million civil judgment against him in the 1988 killing of a black man.
Metzger leads the White Aryan Resistance, or WAR, from his home in Fallbrook.
A Portland jury decided last October that Metzger was responsible for the killing of Mulugeta Seraw because he aided and encouraged the racist “skinheads” who beat Seraw to death.
In January, George M. Joseph, chief judge of the Court of Appeals, ruled that Metzger missed the deadline for filing notice of his intent to appeal the jury’s verdict.
But, after considering written arguments from both sides, Joseph ruled Thursday that Metzger had complied with the deadline.
The judge gave Metzger until late next month to submit a written transcript of the civil trial to the appeals court for consideration.
Metzger still faces an impending sale of his home in Fallbrook to satisfy the judgment.
Efforts have been made to seize donations to WAR and turn the money over to Seraw’s estate.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
