Probation Chopped to Four Minutes in Tree-Cutting Case

Sentencing/Post Conviction

Probation Chopped to Four Minutes in Tree-Cutting Case

Posted Jun 5, 2008, 10:14 am CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss

A woman from Lake Tahoe, Nev., who pleaded guilty to chopping down trees on national forest land will have to pay hefty restitution and do community service, but her probation period is already over.

Patricia Vincent served only about four minutes on probation after U.S. Attorney Ron Rachow told a judge yesterday that the defendant needed to serve a short period in case of problems verifying the community service work, the Associated Press reports.

Vincent had been accused of cutting down the trees to improve her view. She was sentenced to perform 80 hours of community service and pay $100,000 in restitution.

''This case is unique, no matter how you cut it,'' Rachow said.