by L. Frances : 11/21/08 9:31pm - Report Abuse

This entire incident is a tragedy for everyone directly involved. It's obvious it was an accident, the degree of recklessness is yet to be determined. However, why does the Columbian consider it necessary to include a large copy of the booking mug shot with every update of the story? This serves no purpose other than sensationalism.

by Frank Hall : 11/22/08 7:27am - Report Abuse

Have you not noticed how much of a negative paper the Columbian is? I have a feeling that this whole thing is going to turn out to be a big accident, one where both parties made a mistake

by sam allen : 11/22/08 10:55am - Report Abuse

I`ll donate $$$ also.The reason the Columbian is such a negative paper is because they have to move back into their old rat infested building because of poor financial and political decisions,I wonder if they are going to change the picture on the front page of the website of their new building to the old dump.

by wayne cramer : 11/22/08 11:01am - Report Abuse

How about a memorial/burial fund being established for the family of Juan Cortez Rojas? HE is the truly INNOCENT one here!

by Kathy Thayer : 11/22/08 11:01am - Report Abuse

I am wondering if anyone has set up a fund for Mr. Rojas' family. There are people who are in shock and grieving because their loved one died alone in the woods from a single gunshot would to the shoulder. If poor Mr. Rojas was working at such a job as picking bear grass then you know the family doesn't have much money to bury him and if he has a wife and small children their hard life just got even harder.

by diane mcgill : 11/22/08 11:24am - Report Abuse

Bob Parker: you are a loser. To the rest who have made this story about The Columbian and their politics, shame on you. Clark County is full of idiots, I read them on here daily.

by Sage Wisdom : 11/22/08 1:40pm - Report Abuse

I'm pleased about Craig's defense fund and also think those who are passionate about contributing to a burial fund should contact the family in Tacoma directly and inquire. Then please let people in Vancouver know the specifics. I'm amazed at some of the negative hypothesizing being tossed around, given the very limited information publicized. Remember, he is innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

by NFL FAN : 11/22/08 3:10pm - Report Abuse

Juan Cortez Rojas...Was he here legally? I'm just say'n. Poor mug shot..it's his drivers license photo. And the reason why the Columbian is moving back into their old facility, probably because of me, your average Clark County citizen who reads the Columbian and the local news online especially since it's free.

by Joe Hunter : 11/22/08 4:26pm - Report Abuse

Frank, no one said this wasn't an accident, but accident doesn't equate to no penalty. Thats why he was charged with the crime he was. If it wasn't an accident then he would have been charge with homicide. In washington you have only to legal ways to take someones life (well until I-1000 passed) self defense and justifiable homicide. I doubt he can come up with a story to justify one of those two legal reasons.

DONATE TO THE PROSECUTION ON THIS ONE. SJOBERG NEEDS TO PAY FOR HIS SLOPPY HUNTING SKILLS THAT COST A MAN HIS LIFE

by A. Mazed : 11/22/08 6:45pm - Report Abuse

"Juan Cortez Rojas...Was he here legally? I'm just say'n."
What are you just say'n NFL Fan? That you're one of those bigots who feel some lives are worth less than others? Mr. Rojas' legal/illegal status has nothing to do with it.

by brian sterrett : 11/22/08 8:31pm - Report Abuse

Its almost comical how you guys argue over everything yet seem to lack common sense. Yes, what the teacher might have done was more than likely a mistake and even though it was a mistake he needs to take responsibility for what he may or may not have done (remember this is actually America and he is innocent until proven guilty. Does it matter if Mr. Rojas was here legally or illegally, not one bit at all.
So people/parents that have kids, or who work and know Mr. Sjoberg feel they want and or need to contribute to a fund so he and his family can afford an attorney to plead his case guilty or not guilty, why do they do it? Maybe they like the guy, maybe he helped their kid be a better student. Did he do something wrong? Maybe he did, did he himself call the police and say maybe he was the guy they were looking for, yep he did. Did he get scared and not answer the phone when they called him back? He sure did, but I am sure everyone might be a little bit nervous knowing that the police are calling you regaurding a possible murder investigation. Mr Sjoberg did the right thing by calling the police, and now if he did it he will have to be held accountable for what happened and if it was his fault hopefully he will. But how the heck do you guys comment on a story and bring up the papers financial issues, political issues, and if he was a legal citizen type issues?

by M Johnson : 11/22/08 9:55pm - Report Abuse

brian, most of the people who comment on these blogs are just plain lonely, and just plain nuts!

by M Johnson : 11/22/08 9:57pm - Report Abuse

I agree with those who have asked, "where's the fund for the family of the victim?" I would definitely contribute to that. Editor? Could you find out if such a fund exists?

by Don Keehaawtee : 11/22/08 11:11pm - Report Abuse

"i'm kicking money in, for the prosecution screw this guy and his crazy looking eyes in the mug shot"

Good point about the crazy eyes. That could be a result from the refraction of light caused by the coke-bottle prescription glasses. Which brings up the possibility of negligence on his part. Did he have at least 20/20 corrected vision at time of shooting?

by John Mills : 11/23/08 12:22am - Report Abuse

As a retired deputy in the largest county around, I have still not been able to figure out what Mr. Sjoberg did wrong. Some bear-grass picker got shot and died and law enforcement tracked his death back to Mr. Sjoberg - and?? Oh yea, any person that has been "lawfully" arrested and charged with a crime has no control over his picture and it really is open for public scrutiny no matter what you might think, OK?

by Joe Hunter : 11/23/08 6:45pm - Report Abuse

Well John's on to something here that maybe can help Sjoberg fund his defense. Contrary to John's knowlege of Oregon law, Washington does not allow for the release of a mug shot unless its used to located a suspect on the run. If Skamania county released this photo under any other circumstances maybe Sjoberg could sue Skamania county to pay for his defense. But contrary to John's view of the world I don't agree that Sjorberg is off the hook just because Rojas had no protective clothing. Maybe in Oregon, but not in Washington.

Bring on the prosecution fund and the victim fund.