5 on Trial in Alleged Nuclear Sabotage Plot
Jury selection began Monday for the federal court trial of five radical environmentalists, including a founder of Earth First! charged with conspiring to sabotage nuclear plants in three states.
In the trial, the government hopes to prove that current and former members of Earth First!, a militant environmental group, damaged ski lifts, sawed through power poles and plotted to sabotage nuclear installations.
At least one defense lawyer will argue that the government entrapped the defendants during the eight-months-long FBI investigation that preceded their arrests in 1989.
One of those on trial is David Foreman of Tucson, who helped to organize Earth First!
Foreman left the group last summer, citing political differences. He is accused of conspiracy for allegedly providing money, know-how and literature to his co-defendants.
His lawyer said the government has no evidence that Foreman was behind any specific plot.
The other defendants, all from Prescott, are charged with conspiracy as well as damaging ski lifts and power lines.
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.
