Talk:Luke Elliott Sommer
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This article was nominated for deletion on 30 Jan 2007. The result of the discussion was no consensus. |
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[edit] Second? Deletion Challenge
While I dispute the deletion proposal, the proposer is correct in that significant sourcing must be done on the article. Also, now that the blog has been deleted, content that can only cite the blog as reference must be removed. The only way around this would be if the blog has been archived publicly somewhere; but I don't believe that is the case. So everything in the "blog" section which can't be sourced to something else, will probably have to go. Everything else in the blog can be easily sourced to the Seattle Times or NPR's coverage. I'll begin setting up citations for those this weekend; however I'm curious whether anyone can source the part that said, "Sommer contends however that the US has an alterior motive in promoting the organized crime element of their story, claiming that the accusations may be a attempt to illicit interest in him by the Hells Angels. He also believes tying him to organized crime is an attempt to place the onus on him to prove why he should be released on bail, according to Canadian law." If that case was made in the blog, and no where else, we can't really have that in here because without the blog to refer to it's just hearsay.--Cheesesteak the Impaler 05:36, 30 January 2007 (UTC) The comment about his Hells angels feelings were in the NPR interviews and in the Radio Interview he did with kiro out of seattle.
[edit] Old Matter
Not a WP:BIO violation. Definition states that a person achieving notoriety (news worthy event, such as being assassinated) is acceptable. This clown robbed a bank at gunpoint, is involved with one of the biggest arms dealing networks on the planet and is actively talking to the media about it. He qualifies. Douche bag or not. 24.71.204.118 19:53, 10 January 2007 (UTC)
Well, his "media blitz" was a flash in the pan. If you track the content of news providers, there was buzz about the initial robbery arrests; and then there was a brief flurry of stories when he "went public" with his "political" extradition fight; and there hasn't been much since and probably won't be till his extradition hearings this spring/summer.
I also got a feeling Sommer himself may be responsible for the initial entry. That said, the crime did have some notoriety because it did involve U.S. army rangers who were active duty at the time, involved assault rifles smuggled back from Iraq, and his effort to frame his charges in this "if I did it, it was political" extradition fight. The entry needs some cleaning up, but warrants an entry.--Cheesesteak the Impaler 13:05, 13 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Five to Three Rangers?
At this time three (former?) army rangers are charged with the robbery. During the investigation, according to the entry, and my memory, five rangers were arrested. Anyone know what happened to the other two? I think there were guilty pleas to aiding/abetting charges in exchange for turning witness, but I'm not sure.--Cheesesteak the Impaler 14:23, 14 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Citizenship
Anyone have anything on Sommer's citizenship? Is he a dual U.S./Canadian citizen, or a Canadian who served in the U.S. Army?--Cheesesteak the Impaler 14:46, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Answers
Seven people have been arrested in connection to the Tacoma robbery, five of whom have been charged with taking part in the robbery itself. Here's a brief synopsis of who is who:
Elliott Sommer, Army Ranger (Spc. 4), alleged ringleader of the robbery, currently under house arrest in Peachland, B.C. awaiting an extradition hearing. Tigra Robertson, Canadian citizen, alleged robbery participant, currently on bail in B.C., awaiting a January 29 trial appearance in Seattle. Nathan Dunmall, Canadian citizen, alleged robbery particpant, currently on bail in B.C., awaiting an extradition hearing. Alex Blum, Army Ranger (Pvt.), alleged robbery particpant, currently in the SeaTac federal detention centre awaiting a January 29 trial appearance. Chad Palmer, Army Ranger (Pvt.), alleged robber participant, has pled guilty to his role, currently in the SeaTac federal detention centre awaiting sentencing.
The above are five alleged robbers.
Richard Olinger, Army Ranger, allegedly stored weapons on behalf of Sommer in a rental storage unit in Parkland, Wash, unknown current status. Scott Byrne, Army Ranger, allegedly assisted in the planning of the robbery unknown current status.
As for the question about Sommer's citizenship, he has dual Canadian/U.S. citizenship. He grew up in Peachland, B.C. and apparently enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Writerdave (talk • contribs) 03:01, 21 January 2007 (UTC).
- Thanks. Now for the specific language of the entry, should Sommer, Blum, and Palmer be described as Rangers or "former Rangers"? I mean does the army consider a soldier active duty if he's in a federal detention facility? I know some military units have a "once a ____ always a ____" outlook, but does anything actually happen to their enlistment status when indicted, or pending conviction in Palmer's case?--Cheesesteak the Impaler 03:06, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
They are ALL still on the active 2/75 roster. Call and see at 253 967 3407, Charlie Company 2/75. Sommer didn't make the initial entry, however one of his former platoon buddies did.
Please note: January 29 trial of Robertson/Blum has been delayed until April 9 as per defence request for more time to prepare. Writerdave 04:53, 25 January 2007 (UTC) writerdave
[edit] What I Know of Elliott
Elliot was a Sargent of mine in Air Cadets. I did not know him very well, but his mother was my training officer for two years, and i would say that i know her at least a little better than i know him. Whatever his motive I believe that he is telling the truth. from what i remember from him he was never one of those people that would just throw away his life for no real reason. He worked his ass off to become what he had dreamed of being his whole life. and he has undoubtedly seen things most people could possibly comprehend. He never finished high school because he couldn't wait to start his career, and i know he is not stupid enough to rob a bank just on a whim. He is a man that I do not know incredibly well but he has my utter respect. its not my place to say whether he committed a crime but I think after what he said it would be a mistake to send him back to the states. If anything he should be kept here for having enough balls to say what he said. And if he has proof of these crimes then for once the American government will see that they aren't diplomatically immune, and that they have to fight and live by the same rules that the rest of the world has to live under. I always kept tabs on where he was, and I will continue to support him in his upcoming trials.
Erik Bosch roadsquash@hotmail.com
