The former Jackson County psychiatrist accused of stringing cord across bike trails in protest of mountain bike riding in the Ashland watershed had his day in court.
In a Jackson County courtroom this Wednesday afternoon Jackson Dempsey, the man who endangered mountain bikers in Ashland back in July of 2012, apologized for his actions.
Jackson Tyler Dempsey appeared calm when he was in court, even while pleading guilty to 4th degree Assault, a count of reckless endangerment and no contest to yet another charge of reckless endangerment.
“You do understand that no contest exposes you to all the legal sanctions available to the court just as if you had plead guilty” asked Judge Lorenzo Mejia.
“Yes, I do,” responded Dempsey.
Mountain bikers who were injured because of the cord strung across bike trails and the debris Dempsey laid across trails also had choice words for Dempsey.
“I think he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law on this,” said William Roussel, one of Dempsey’s victims.
“I don’t understand how someone with 6-8 years of education could coherently do this,” said another victim.
After the victims spoke, it was Dempsey’s turn.
“I would like to say to each of you […] that I apologize for my actions. They were extremely thoughtless acts, regrettably poor judgement on my part,” he said.
However, for at least one victim, the apologies fell on deaf ears.
“It wasn’t real,” began Roussel outside of the courtroom.
“Not make any formal apologies prior to this date and in front of the court make an apology. Doesn’t hold any water with me.”
For each count, Dempsey is sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years of bench probation and restitution.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.