William Cottrell

Cottrell graduated from the University of Chicago in 2002 as a double major in physics and mathematics.{{Cite web|title=U of C prodigy imprisoned for eco-terror crime|url=https://www.chicagomaroon.com/2007/09/19/u-of-c-prodigy-imprisoned-for-eco-terror-crime/|access-date=2021-09-06|website=www.chicagomaroon.com|language=en}} He also competed on the school's Division III cross country team, where he was often called the "team genius". After graduating, he was accepted to the graduate physics program at Caltech, where he would meet Tyler Johnson, who was also studying physics and finishing up his undergraduate work.{{cite web|url=http://www.vincebeiser.com/hummer.html|title=Burned|date=April 10, 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107024035/http://www.vincebeiser.com/hummer.html|archivedate=January 7, 2009|url-status=dead}}

In August 2003, Cottrell and Tyler Johnson developed a plan to place bumper stickers on SUVs reading "SUV = TERRORISM." In a series of emails that were later recovered by the FBI, Cottrell attempted to recruit friends to help him purchase the bumper stickers, and organised arson attacks on a series of Hummer dealers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}}

He was arrested in March 2004 after law enforcement tracked him sending emails to the Los Angeles Times. The e-mails signed by "Tony Marsden" speak about what the ELF cell had done, vandalizing more than 130 SUVs parked at dealerships or residential homes, claiming they were damaging the environment.{{Cite news|url = http://www.cdfe.org/suv_suspect_arrested.htm|title = Earth Liberation Front suspect charged in California SUV arson, vandalism raids|date = March 18, 2004|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040402024314/http://www.cdfe.org/suv_suspect_arrested.htm|archive-date = April 2, 2004|url-status = dead|publisher = Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise}} He was charged with conspiracy to commit arson, arson, and one count of using a destructive device during a crime of violence, in an October 24, 2004 Federal grand jury indictment.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}} Cottrell's lawyers stated that he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. However, Judge Gary Klausner would not allow a defense based upon the claim that Cottrell had Asperger syndrome.{{cite web|url=http://www.aspires-relationships.com/articles_billy_cottrell_innocent_guilty_or_duped.htm |title=Billy Cottrell - Innocent, Guilty or Duped? |publisher=Aspires-relationships.com |date= |accessdate=2015-08-26}}

At his trial, Cottrell admitted being present, but denied involvement in throwing Molotov cocktails, saying Johnson was the mastermind.

An informal network of Cottrell supporters formed, led by the Earth Liberation Front Prisoner's Network and the Free Billy Cottrell organization. These supporters claimed that Cottrell was the innocent victim of government persecution. However, when Cottrell named Johnson as the mastermind, it prompted his Free Billy Cottrell supporters to brand him as a traitor, issue an apology to those who supported Cottrell,{{cite web |url=http://www.infoshop.org/inews/comment.php?mode=view&cid=84436 |title=Infoshop News - your 24/7 source for news, opinion and information |website=www.infoshop.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312195829/http://www.infoshop.org/inews/comment.php?mode=view&cid=84436 |archive-date=2007-03-12}} {{cite web |url=http://www.cdfe.org/cottrell_convicted.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204150126/http://www.cdfe.org/cottrell_convicted.htm |archive-date=2004-12-04 |title=Cottrell convicted}} and end all support.{{cite web|url=http://brianoconnor.typepad.com/animal_crackers/2005/04/william_cottrel.html |title=Animal Crackers: William Cottrell: An Unremorseful Soul on the Eve of Sentencing |publisher=Brianoconnor.typepad.com |date=2005-04-11 |accessdate=2015-08-26}}

An article in the LA Weekly reports that Billy was being mistreated by prison guards who have labeled him a "terrorist". According to the article, he is not permitted to study physics or Mandarin Chinese, is not permitted to teach the other prisoners calculus, and had had his books and papers removed without being given a reason.{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/a-terrible-thing-to-waste/15782/?page=1 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304065152/http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/a-terrible-thing-to-waste/15782/?page=1 |archivedate=March 4, 2007 |title=A terrible thing to waste |date=February 28, 2007 |last=Lewis |first=Judith}}

A letter in Cottrell's defense, signed by Stephen Hawking and other prominent scientists, was distributed to prison authorities and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals at Cottrell's October 18, 2006 hearing. He was then transferred into another federal prison with less violent prisoners.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/the-us-addiction-to-oil-the-battered-hummer-that-symbolises-a-divided-nation-457975.html|title=The US addiction to oil: The battered Hummer that symbolises a divided nation - Climate Change, Environment - The Independent|website=Independent.co.uk |date=3 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503055247/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/the-us-addiction-to-oil-the-battered-hummer-that-symbolises-a-divided-nation-457975.html |accessdate=23 July 2023|archive-date=2010-05-03 }} Cottrell was then able to study subjects that he was denied at the last prison and no longer had a roommate.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-physicists-campaign-free-jailed-ecoterrorists-mind-/2007/07/15/2784176.htm |title=Physicists campaign to free a jailed ecoterrorist's mind |publisher=Tmcnet.com |date= |accessdate=2015-08-26}}

A documentary film on Cottrell, titled Standard Deviation, was written and directed by David Randag and Chris Brannan in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.standarddeviation-themovie.com |title=Standard Deviation |publisher=Standarddeviation-themovie.com |date= |accessdate=2015-08-26}} In 2009, it won the Emmy for best student documentary at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation's 30th College Television Awards.{{cite web |url=http://cdn.emmys.tv/media/releases/2009/rel-ctafin.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326035949/http://cdn.emmys.tv/media/releases/2009/rel-ctafin.php |archive-date=2009-03-26 |title=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences}}

On 8 September 2009, Cottrell's convictions and sentences for arson were overturned by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.[http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2009/09/08/05-50307am.pdf Court document] uscourts.gov 2009{{cite web|author= |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/suv-bombers-arson-convictions-overturned-sentence-vacated.html |title=Caltech student's arson convictions are overturned in SUV bombings; sentence is vacated by appeals court |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2009-09-10 |accessdate=2015-08-26}} However, the conspiracy conviction and sentence were affirmed. The omission of Cottrell's diagnosis of Asperger syndrome during his 2004 trial played a key role in the decision. Cottrell was released on August 16, 2011. After his release from prison he completed his Ph.D. in theoretical and mathematical physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and postdoctorate research at the University of Amsterdam and Stanford University.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

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Category:1980 births

Category:American people convicted of arson

Category:American prisoners and detainees

Category:Earth Liberation Front

Category:Living people

Category:People from Concord, North Carolina

Category:People with Asperger syndrome

Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government

Category:United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit cases

Category:University of Chicago alumni