In a show of judicial force that has made national headlines, a Multnomah County judge yesterday sentenced a man to 45 days in jail for waving a pair of “Star Wars” light sabers at customers in Toys R Us.
On December 15 at 9:50 p.m., a customer at the Hayden Island Toys R Us store called 9-1-1 and told police that David Allen Canterbury, 33, of Hillsboro, was yelling incoherently and swinging two blue light sabers around, one in each hand.
While the caller was still on the phone, Canterbury exited the store and headed toward the parking lot, still holding the light sabers.
Portland police officers arrived and tried to arrest Canterbury, but he continued to brandish the light sabers. So officers went for their Tasers.
One officer tried to use his Taser, but the device didn’t work. A second officer succeeded in firing his Taser, but Canterbury knocked one of the wires away with a light saber.
Police wrestled Canterbury to the ground and arrested him on charges of disorderly conduct, theft, assault, resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer. Canterbury was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
In Multnomah County Circuit Court yesterday, Canterbury pleaded no contest to fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest. The other charges were dismissed.
In addition to the 45-day jail term, Judge Kenneth Walker sentenced Canterbury to two years of probation and a mental-health evaluation that could result in treatment. He was also banned from Toys R Us.
Canterbury apologized to the people he hit, and told the court he was already seeking mental health treatment.
None of the customers struck by toy light sabers sustained an injury requiring medical attention.
Sources: The Oregonian, KPTV.com
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