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PL delayed Chain inquiry, lawyer says By Suzanne Zalev The Times Standard EUREKA-- An investigation into the forest death of an environmental activist was not stopped on Friday by ab Earth First blockade, an Arcata attorney said. Contrary to the reports from Pacific Lumber Co. officials on Friday, Steve Schectman claimed on Sunday that his investigation was postponed because there wasn't enough daylight by the time his team got near the site of David Chain's death. "PL said it was too late, not us," Schectman said. He was retained last week by Chain's family to investigate the activist's death on Sept.17. Chain and other environmentalists were trespassing on PL land when Chain was crushed by a falling tree. PL officials said Chain's death was accidental and loggers didn't know anyone was in the area. Earth Firsters said loggers were purposely falling trees in the direction of the protesters. Schectman said his team conducted their investigation Saturday. He said he could not release information from his investigation because, in order to investigate on PL property, he told LP he would keep the information confidential. Schectman said that early Friday, a PL representative called him to say the Sheriff's Department wouldn't let his team in. Schectman said he spoke to a lieutenant, who said he hadn't spoken to PL and there was no problem with Schectman conducting his investigation. Schectman arrived about 1 p.m. at the site near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, east of Carlotta. "To no one's great surprise, there were physical impediments placed in the road," he said. Members of Earth First said they would not prevent the team from coming in, but PL officials didn't want to walk up the road, Schectman said. The team got permission from an adjacent landowner to drive to a point less that a mile from the site of Chain's death. "I said, 'Let's go for it.' they said, 'No its too late,'" Schectman said. The team went back to the site Saturday morning, Schectman said. He arrived at 9 a.m. and hiked up the hill with his team, while PL officials drove most of the way. Sheriff Dennis Lewis said on Sunday that the investigation was hampered on Friday by the Earth Firsters. "My understanding is they went out there and were met with somewhat of a blockade," said Lewis, who added he wasn't present during Schectman's investigation - he sent a deputy and a sergeant. PL's team included its safety engineer and logger A> E> Ammons, who Schectman said cut down the tree that killed Chain. There was also an expert investigator, and Schectman said he wasn't sure who hired him - PL or the Sheriff's department. The two are working "in tandem," Schectman claims, adding he thought it was inappropriate for Ammons to be present. "He's certainly got to be the suspect (If criminal charges will be pressed)," Schectman said. Lewis said he didn't know if Ammons was present at the scene, adding that it's "hogwash" to claim his department isn't conducting an impartial and independent investigation. "I hope (Schectman) doesn't confuse the Sheriff's department with PL," he said. PL spokeswoman Mary Bullwinkle did not return several phone calls Sunday. A news release issued by PL on Friday claimed protesters denied access to investigators. [Note: The PL website has not posted this latest press release by PL.] [Note: EF!ers have told me that they had contacted all parties to assist them in reaching the site in spite of the physical impediments constructed to keep PL from destroying the scene of the crime. The Sheriff's and PL have mislead the media and failed to do as EF! had suggested they do in order to gain easy access to the site, according to EF!.
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