OCR Text |
Show MONDAY, OCTOBER 22. 2007 . THE COLLEGE TIMES News On YOHANNESfromAl fahl, another UVSC student and Yohannes roommate. Westfahl claims that Yohannes was fascinated with killing and was targeting the police. He went on to note that he was concerned for his own and the general public's safety. Four days prior, on Monday, June 4, Orem police had received another report from the same apartment; this time filed by Yohannes. In the report Yohannes' detailed how two of his roommates had cut wires in his personal computer. Sam Westfahl had been specifically mentioned. Orem police, as well as several media outlets, mention Yohannes' history of violence, threats, criminal activity, weapons arrests and illegal firearms. When questioned by The College Times regarding these accusations, Donna Kelly, Deputy Utah County prosecuting attorney admitted that there is no evidence of a violent history. When asked specifically about his past criminal record she noted that, "his previous convictions do not involve a violent crime." Kelly was also unaware of any history of threats originating from Yohannes and that firearms charges based on the evidence at hand in the case are very uncommon. Yohannes' defense sees the case in a very different light than that which has A 5 assigned to an individual depending on requests for adjustment of status or other reasons," he said. When asked if it was possible, under any circumstance, to guess a 9-digit alien registration number he said, "You could guess a number, but as far as guessing (a different) one that matched your information, that is not going to happen." Yohannes was in possession of the two rifles for eight months before his arrest on June 8. A March This is all about two roomates from 2007 investigation turned different backgrounds that didn't get up the same problem with along; Kidus was never a threat to the alien registration numbers Yohannes provided, anyone. but no action was taken. Attorney Richard Gale, This information resurfaced Yohannes'legal representation after Westfahl told police that Yohannes was dangerous. The March 2007 investigation was prompted by a routine traffic stop by Provo hannes now rests on the two alien registration numbers." Police Officer Dave Moore. charges of providing false He also mentioned that the At the time, Yohannes' was information to obtain a fire- BCI has access to multiple found with ammunition and arm. The College Times has state, federal and interna- a rifle in his vehicle, which obtained the two application tional databases. "If there is police later confirmed had forms held as evidence in a problem," said McConkie, been purchased legally. the case. Both are correct in "we turn it over to Immigra- The police report narrative ever}' detail including name, tion and Customs Enforce- claims that the serial numbirth date and address. The ment (ICE),'1 which is a di- ber on the rifle appeared only exception is in the nine vision of the Department of self-installed, and that the rifle also had an American digit alien registration num- Homeland Security. ber Yohannes provided. The College Times con- name on the trigger. Norm Both forms contain the tacted an officer from the Van Wagenen, the firearms same alien registration ICE, who requested that dealer who sold the rifle number and both were re- he not be identified, and to Yohannes, said, "that turned from background asked if two numbers could describes just about every checks with an additional have been assigned. "There surplus rifle in my store, verification number, allow- could be multiple numbers they all look like that." Van been portrayed in the media. "This is all about two roommates from different backgrounds that didn't get along; Kidus was never a threat to anyone," says Attorney Richard Gale, on behalf of the Public Defenders Association and Yohannes' legal representation. The case against Yo- ing Yohannes to complete his transaction. It appears that during the application process, both the state and federal government found no issue with the number Yohannes provided. Utah's Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) Chief Ed McConkie said, "It is common practice to check iop around the world in one store. Wagenen noted that Yohannes was nice, polite and very weil spoken during their transactions. Brian Barnard, a civil rights attorney with the Utah Legal Clinic said, "In a case like this, because of the hype involved prosecutors are often pressured to get results." When asked about the firearms violations he said, "Something like this is usually passed on to the federal level where penalties are more severe." There have yet to be any federal charges filed. Yohannes faces deportation if convicted of a felony. Barnard indicated that the prosecution might be pushing for a felony conviction because with deportation Yohannes would be gone and no longer an issue. The only concealed weapons charge listed on Yohannes' adult record was for a pocket knife found in the door compartment of his vehicle during the March 2007 traffic stop. The charge was dismissed. Yohannes has spent the last four months in solitary confinement at the Utah county jail. Bail was set at $250,000. If he receives a felony conviction deportation proceedings will be initiated and he could be sent back to the government from which his family has sought asylum. Calling for art donations for charity Dave Iba News writer Habitat for Humanity of Utah County recently announced its first art auction, scheduled for early December 2007. The organization is currently calling for art submissions from local artists to donate to this event. The art auction, which includes both a live auction and a silent auction, is scheduled at the Coleman Art Gallery in Provo on Dec. 5, 2007. Due to Habitat for Humanity's goai to provide the value of a home to those in need, the auction carries the theme "There's No Place Like Home." Habitat for Humanity of Utah County has built 25 affordable housing units in Utah County since 1992. The homes built have provided 43 adults and 94 children with a safe place to call home and a place where each family can flourish. The organization continues to bring together families, neighbors, students and local businesses to build and strengthen the community. "This art auction is an opportunity to raise awareness about the desperate need for affordable housing in Utah County, while also celebrating the artists whose works breathe life and expression into our community," said Kena Jo Mathews, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Utah County. The art auction is intended to raise awareness about the need for each family in Utah County to have a place to call home and will raise money to go toward building a house for a local family in need. The auction also provides an opportunity for local artists' work to be displayed in the community, and a portion of the artists' donation may be tax deductible. Those planning the event hope to collect art, which represents the theme; but more specifically, art that represents the artist's personal interpretation of the theme. High-quality visual art, whether in the form of paintings, drawings, prints or sculptures, are acceptable submissions. For questions or interest regarding the art auction, contact Jennifer Jeffery at (801) 344-8527 or Jennifer@hfhuc.oro Ifyou've been curious about how your brain controls sexuality, sleep, memory, feeding and drug addiction, many of your answers lie in... Neuroscience •• Gifts and groceries from Japan, China, Britain, Korea, Brazil, S. Africa, India, Argentina, Polynesia, Austrailia, Mexico, Germany, Holland, Italy, Eastern Europe, Peru, Thailand,. Indonesia and Russia • MANY UNpJ 1145 N. 500 W. Provo 375-3789 Open Mon-Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. www.manylandsinc.com Visit us at the Utah Valley State College Grad Fair October 25, 2007 IWASHINGTQN STATE Program in Neuroscience I INIVERSITY ^ 5 ° 9 * 335-6624-neuro@vetmed.wsu.edu ^ http://www.vctmcd.wsu.edu/dcpts-vcapp |