Eugene, OR – Former Oregon Neo-Nazi Gets a Second Chance

Eugene, OR – A former white supremacist will not have to serve time in prison for his 2002 attack on a Eugene synagogue.

Gabriel Laskey, 23, of Springfield, a one-time member of the Oregon neo-Nazi group Volksfront, asked U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan for a second chance and it was granted.

"I realize that I screwed up really bad," Laskey said. "I realize I need to be punished for that, and I'm willing to accept that. I know I can't change the past, but I'd like the opportunity to change the future."

Hogan sentenced Laskey to five years probation, as well as six months at the Lane County work release program followed by six months of home detention.

"I would be surprised if there weren't members of the Jewish community who are furious with me," Hogan told Laskey. "Only you can prove me right or wrong."

Laskey admitted throwing rocks etched with swastikas through stained glass windows at Temple Beth Israel while about 80 people were inside attending a religious service.

Laskey's older brother, Jacob, is serving 11 years in prison for the rock-throwing incident, as well as for obstructing justice, soliciting the murder of a witness and soliciting a bomb threat at a federal courthouse to disrupt a grand jury.

Two other men were also charged in synagogue attack. Gerald Poundstone, 29, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and Jesse Lee Baker, 26, is awaiting his sentence.

Laskey has been trying to make amends to Temple Beth Israel and its congregants.

He has written letters of apology, met with members of the temple, studied Jewish history with a rabbi and his wife, shared a Shabbat meal with seven people and filmed video segments to communicate with victims who did not want to face him. [AP]