#ManInTree charged for third-degree assault, malicious mischief
Mar 28, 2016, 12:40 PM | Updated: 1:07 pm
The man who caught the nation's attention for spending more than a day in a tree was charged with third-degree assault and first-degree malicious mischief. (AP)
(AP)
The man who caught the nation’s attention for spending more than a day in a tree was charged with third-degree assault and first-degree malicious mischief Monday.
Cody Lee Miller, aka #ManInTree, is being held in King County Jail on $50,000 bail.
Related: More than 24 hours later man in Seattle tree comes down
Miller is charged for allegedly assaulting a Seattle police officer. During his stint in the sequio tree, he threw things, including pine cones and a “metal support” at pedestrians, police, and firefighters; he struck three officers. Had the piece of metal struck someone, there was “a high likelihood that it could have caused significant injury…”
According to an urban forester with the city’s Transportation Department, Miller caused about $7,800 to the tree.
In addition to the damage he caused, Miller also took up quite a bit of time for first responders. More than 70 police officers, sergeants, lieutenants, negotiators, and crisis response teams worked the scene over the 25-hour period. At least four fire engine companies, a battalion command staff, and SWAT teams responded as well, according to charging documents.
“This caused an incalculable waste of time and services and arguably the efficacy of local law enforcement’s reaction time to other serious calls for service around the city,” the document states.
