The case of two Grinchy Washington state burglars, who stole power Christmas day, took a surprise twist. Since they’re not domestic terrorists or anything, one of them was released. Matthew Greenwood had a jones, so they let him out for rehab. They’re also setting him up with a new pad on the outside, to help him cope while withdrawing from dope, as he awaits his burglary trial.
Power bandit released
The news was quietly announced on Friday, January 27, that power thieving 32-year-old Matthew Greenwood had been ordered released from federal custody by a judge “to seek substance abuse help.” He’s one of the two men arrested on charges of “conspiracy to damage energy facilities” and burglary.
Several “utility substations in Pierce County were attacked on Christmas Day causing at least $3 million in damage.” They left 30,000 people shivering in the dark. It wasn’t domestic terror because they aren’t conservative. Instead, it was a burglary, with a little vandalism mixed in.
Greenwood and his buddy Jeremy Crahan, age 40, told investigators they “knocked out power so they could burglarize a business and steal from the cash register.”
— Kilgore Trout (@Kilgore73862013) January 8, 2023
Only Democrats can believe that going to such extremes for petty theft isn’t domestic terror. They get credit for coming up with a cover story which is holding tight, so far.
The power pirates both were residents of Puyallup which makes them alright, since they’re only local anarchists, not deplorable MAGA Republicans or associated with Proud Boys.
Greenwood has to get by without his sawed off rifle and sawed off shotgun. Those are still in the evidence lockup. District Judge Robert J. Bryan made Greenwood promise to behave before granting his “release on an appearance bond.”
Promise to appear
Before Judge Bryan let Greenwood out to call his dealer, he had to make some promises. Like “the promise to show up to future hearings and abide by conditions, including electronic monitoring and mandated drug treatment.”
He warned the power slashing burglar not to try anything tricky like that to evade his ankle bracelet. The judge “noted the court was taking a risk,” adding, “it’s up to you to be sure that the risk is well-taken.”
Nobody expects Greenwood to run. He has nowhere to run to. He’s lived in the area his whole life and has a child on the way. The power grid thing might just get washed right off his record if he keeps his nose clean.
A judge told defendant Matthew Greenwood that the court was taking a risk: “It’s up to you to be sure that the risk is well-taken.” https://t.co/DXmt1aDlBq
— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) January 27, 2023
Because of the ankle bracelet, his dealer will have to make house calls but that’s about the only inconvenience. He apparently doesn’t have to actually quit using yet, because they haven’t reported finding him a rehab slot.
Besides electronic monitoring, his lawyer, public defender Rebecca Fish, assured the judge, “Greenwood was on a wait list for sober and supportive housing, which he would enter into following treatment.”
The federal prosecutor opposed the release but didn’t do a very enthusiastic job of it. He didn’t insist that cutting power to 30,000 people, putting them at risk of medical emergency, is domestic terror, no matter who does it. Instead he mused, “is this someone the court can trust to be safe in this community? I think the answer to that is ‘no.’” The judge liked the defendant’s lawyer better.
