cannabisnews.com: Campground Standoff Claims 2nd Death 










  Campground Standoff Claims 2nd Death 

Posted by FoM on September 04, 2001 at 08:19:03 PT
By James Prichard, Associated Press Writer  
Source: Associated Press 

A campground standoff ended in its fifth day Tuesday with a second man fatally shot by police after allegedly pointing a weapon at an officer. Rolland Rohm, 28, was shot about 6:30 a.m., the day after his roommate was fatally shot by an FBI agent, Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. said. Rohm had been ordered several times to put his weapon down, Underwood said. He said Rohm pointed the gun at a Michigan State Police officer and was shot. It wasn't clear which officer shot Rohm. 
On Monday, Grover T. Crosslin, whose campground was known for its advocacy of marijuana use, was shot after he left a building on the property and pointed a rifle at the agent, Underwood said. Crosslin, 47, had been facing felony drug and weapons charges when the standoff began Friday, authorities said. Early Tuesday, Rohm had said he would surrender at 7 a.m. if his son were brought to see him, Underwood said. The sheriff said police were in the process of granting the request when shortly after 6 a.m., a fire was reported at the compound. Rohm was then seen leaving the residence with a long gun and walking into the yard, Underwood said. That's when the confrontation with police took place.  The standoff began when deputies went to the farm after neighbors said Crosslin was burning buildings on his property, which is the target of civil forfeiture proceedings. A house and four main buildings on the campground property, called Rainbow Farm, appeared to have been burned since then, Underwood said. Crosslin reportedly warned neighbors that day to leave the area because ``all hell was going to break loose.'' Deputies said they believe Crosslin was upset about a bond revocation hearing scheduled for Friday. It was set because police believed he had held a festival on the campground, in violation of the terms of his release on previous drug and weapons charges. Crosslin had been arrested in May over allegations of marijuana use at his 34-acre campground and charged with felony possession of a firearm, growing marijuana and maintaining a drug house. Crosslin became agitated Monday after authorities brought a phone to him in an attempt to begin negotiations, Underwood said. When authorities denied Crosslin's request to speak with a third party, he began making threatening remarks and gestures, the sheriff said. That's when he left the residence and was shot. A judge had signed a warrant earlier Monday charging Crosslin with attempted destruction of an aircraft and using a firearm in a felony, the FBI said. Authorities alleged Crosslin shot a news helicopter from WNDU-TV in nearby South Bend, Ind., as it flew overhead Friday. Shots also were fired at an unmarked state police plane Saturday but missed, police said. Both aircraft landed safely without injuries. According to the Rainbow Farm's Web site, Crosslin bought the property about 15 years ago with the idea of supporting ``the medical, spiritual and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more sane and compassionate America.'' Crosslin had previously worked as a truck driver and a flag pole installer. Crosslin's attorney, Dori Leo, said her client was upset because a child he helped raise has been taken from the home he shared with Rohm. The boy was placed in foster care soon after Crosslin and Rohm were charged with the drug counts, Leo told the South Bend Tribune. Vandalia Mayor Sondra Mose-Ursery said she knew Crosslin well and wasn't surprised by his confrontation with authorities. ``I figured it was going to happen, by the way he had talked about not wanting to go to jail for doing something he believed in,'' she told the Tribune. ``He believes he should be able to do what he wants on his own property.'' On the Net: Rainbow Farm: http://www.rainbowfarmcamp.com/ Source: Associated PressAuthor: James PrichardPublished: September 4, 2001Copyright: 2001 Associated PressRelated Articles:FBI Agent Kills Rainbow Farm Ownerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10809.shtmlCampground Owner Killed After Four-Day Standoff http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10808.shtmlCampground Owner Shot Dead by FBI http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10807.shtml 

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Comment #20 posted by Rock-N-Roller on September 04, 2001 at 22:39:10 PT

Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your right.
In order to bring more media attention to this tragedy we need to make a lot of noise. We need the likes of Gary Johnson, and Normal to attend the funerals and deliver the eulogies. We need to have thousands of people attend the services, so many people it overcomes the place, just like the police and firemen do. If this could happen the media cannot completley ignore this. If we get more media attention it can possibly help to educate the ones who need it. E-Mail Gary Johnson's office, and Normal, lets try to get them there. I will make several posts of this comment. Do not be angry or surprised if you see this again. I will post it in other places. Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your right.
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Comment #19 posted by buzzdaily on September 04, 2001 at 19:21:01 PT:

update from the protest site 
 we are gathered at m-60&white temple rd in vandalia mi & have set up a site on the web. a baby right now' but with help it will grow ..!send pics or storys of these guys or friends who have had this happen to them .call cass county or e-mail themto voice your opinons ! one voice is covered by the wind but all the voices will cover the storm. peace out buzzs tribe
Rainbow Farm Memorial
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Comment #18 posted by JStraw on September 04, 2001 at 18:57:41 PT

Press/net followups
I just heard about this today...am not a hemp ACTIVIST, but support the cause etc. Folks here are emotional, and their minds are made up that it is all the FBI/cops fault, without acknowledging the reports that Croslin and Rohm both pointed guns at agents/officers. I am skeptical of those reports of course, I'd like more proof than the shooters word. Also, why was he posted where he was - "in harms way"?. He shoulda been covered...the FBI guy's reaction shoulda been to take cover, not shoot IMO.However, blindly attempting to make them into martyrs by placing the blame for their deaths strictly on the FBI/State police will not work in the mainstream... It will be veiwed as suicide by cop, nothing more.A heckuva lot more context to the case is needed. *I* am fairly confident that Crosslin was targeted for pot/lifestyle...but what are the specifics regarding the "felony gun charge" and what about the child custody issue? Please refer me to previous articles...I will search. One more Q I have about the report is why did FBI refuse his request for a 3rd party negotiator? And, his relationship with neighbors and reputation seemed very positive---no signs of a violent, dangerous person here---did local authorities know that and then the FBI treated him like a violent criminal? His actions over the weekend cannot be defended by persons without knowing a bit more...and questioning the accuracy of reports. Conspiracy theories must be taken skeptically too, or you will be ignored.If you know of other sources to lookout for, or other forums to check on regarding this, please post for me.Thanks, JStraw
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on September 04, 2001 at 15:00:45 PT

tdm
That was a good idea. I copied your words and put them on my blackout page.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/whatsnew.htm
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Comment #16 posted by tdm on September 04, 2001 at 14:36:40 PT

blackout suggestion
I'm glad you like the idea sm247. I have one more suggestion for anyone blacking out their site. Put up a message that tells the world why. Doc-Hawk, for example, linked back to one of the CN articles about the murders. I linked my site to the articles at the South Bend Tribune. You can see my blackout page at the link below.
demoss.org
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Comment #15 posted by sm247 on September 04, 2001 at 14:13:19 PT

Blackout
This blackout idea is very good. Lights out.
www.i420.org
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Comment #14 posted by sledhead on September 04, 2001 at 13:01:27 PT

Terrible
Use your anger against them. Anger is a powerful motivator. Please take action now. Keep it on the front burner. We can do this in spite of the media's censorship. Don't let these folks die in vain. Everytime your anger rises write a letter, gather a signature, enlist someone from outside the movement. Do whatever you think best, just do something. Contacting the foreign press concerning this tragedy is an option & may be a powerful tool.I don't have the answers, but don't just sit still, move & make something happen!As much as this is a negative, it will turn 180 into just as powerful of a positive, if we make it happen.Start Immediately.......Please!
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 04, 2001 at 11:17:23 PT

My Blackout Page
I went ahead and blackedout my What's New page. I change this one more frequently. I'm so mad! mad! mad! Thank you all for being considerate and supportive. I really do appreciate you all.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/whatsnew.htm
What's New in Drug Policy Reform
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Comment #12 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on September 04, 2001 at 11:06:06 PT

Sane and Compassionate indeed
>>According to the Rainbow Farm's Web site, Crosslin bought the property about 15 years ago with the idea of supporting ``the medical, spiritual and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more sane and compassionate America.''  Actually, according to the page linked to below, that's only one plank of his holistic approach to healing the earth. But apparently recycling and organic farming aren't issues that warrant taking one's children away...
http://www.rainbowfarmcampground.com/invlvd.htm
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on September 04, 2001 at 10:23:35 PT

Doc-Hawk 
Thank You Doc-Hawk,I've saved a picture and can do something but I'm really rattled about this and my brain isn't thinking very clearly. I can blackout Freedom to Exhale. I just don't want to post any news right now that isn't related to this. I'm sad, angry and I don't know what else. Too many emotions. I'll do this page.
Freedom To Exhale
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Comment #10 posted by Doc-Hawk on September 04, 2001 at 10:02:15 PT:

blackout
Mine is black and the link of the day is back to this article.Maybe we can get some more.
War on Some Drugs
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Comment #9 posted by E. Johnson on September 04, 2001 at 10:00:34 PT

Paranoia strikes deep
Almost cut my hair today, etc.This is hardly going to quell the marijuana legalization movement. Martyrs are powerful forces.Lenin was a little nerd until his brother was executed by the Tsarist government.Of course, Lenin's brother WANTED to be executed. He wanted to teach all the little liberal nerds that the government was a killer and that radicalism was the only path. And he succeeded.Because their cruel stupid system let him.And now our system is being cruel and stupid and creating martyrs of its own who are teaching young people that radicalism is the only path left open to them.Because -- the government is acting like a killer.Over pot! We have a government that thinks marijuana is worth killing for!Now that can be a radicalizing realization. A government that thinks marijuana is literally worth killing for.
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Comment #8 posted by Doug on September 04, 2001 at 09:52:24 PT

What really happened?
The police and FBI have certaily put their spin on this story -- noble law enforcement agents taking down a wild dog to protect the community. They even had to take down two. I'm sure that there are investigative journalists around who will be following up on this story, and in another six months ww will read what really went on at the Campgrounds, and it will be totally different than the official story, but by then nobody will care, and a similar event will be happening again.
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Comment #7 posted by Morgan on September 04, 2001 at 09:42:47 PT

Peoples
I'd be really surprised if we hear anything straight from Brandon Peoples anytime soon. What we might get will be filtered through 'official' channels. Then, say in about a year or so, he might be free to speak his mind. But by then, he will have been 'discredited' by the same 'officials', and his words will fall upon a public that has the attention span of a gnat, and who likely won't care anyway, as they will be engrossed in yet another important celebrity scandal. (Brought to you by BayerPziserHoechstMarionRoussel Pharmaceuticals!...Feeling Paranoid? Take Manaxil!)**********************************************************And so it goes...
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Comment #6 posted by BirdHeart on September 04, 2001 at 09:30:23 PT

i bet he does a deal
he keeps silent and he gets to keep his life...otherwise i see him dead 48 hours after he is released
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 04, 2001 at 09:14:44 PT

Has People's been released?
I took this from the below article from last night.“At that moment, the FBI observer fired one round and fatally wounded Crosslin, with Brandon Peoples receiving minor injuries.’’Peoples was slightly injured during the incident, and was immediately grabbed by authorities on site.FBI Agent Kills Rainbow Farm Ownerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10809.shtml
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Comment #4 posted by Morgan on September 04, 2001 at 09:04:23 PT

Dead men tell no tales
The only independent witness left to what actually went on at the farm had to be silenced. Is anybody surprised? Are we clear about what we are up against yet?The prohibition of Hemp is the keystone that is propping up this government. Message to the children: Talk of legalization equals talk of overthrowing the present government dynamic. They will kill you if they have to...to keep control.It's that simple....and that serious.To Grover and Rolland... happy trails amigos. You two may do more in your deaths for the movement, than you ever dreamed you could do in your lives.***********************************************************
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Comment #3 posted by tdm on September 04, 2001 at 08:45:39 PT:

sour grapes
I've never felt more hopeless and less free. I can't imagine what these two men were feeling. Imagine having your children taken from you for growing grapes (as wine vineyards are know to do now and again) or having a wine and cheese tasting festival. This began no differently. Ludicrous. I think I'll go cry now.See my blackout idea at the link below.
blackout
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Comment #2 posted by Patrick on September 04, 2001 at 08:38:07 PT

Well there ya have it.
Both men dead. And a boy fatherless. I feel so much safer in america now. Winston is probably at home smiling with glee waiting to get his hands on a dead mans property. All of this drama and the war goes on like nothing happened.
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Comment #1 posted by BirdHeart on September 04, 2001 at 08:30:20 PT

Another murder
WTF they lit the house is was in on fire and when he comes out they shoot him. Watch out. The govt is comming for you next.
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