Harvey Updyke was arrested just over two years ago after a man calling himself "Al from Dadeville" phoned a radio show claiming he poured herbicide around the 130-year-old oaks. The caller signed off by saying "Roll Damn Tide".
According to court records he admitted to calling the radio show and to leaving a phone message to an Auburn professor claiming knowledge of the poisoning.
He was charged with criminal mischief, desegrating a venerated object and damaging agriculture. He had pleaded "not guilty" by reason of mental disease or defect to charges of poisoning the trees during Auburn's successful bid for the national championship in the 2010 football season that included the biggest comeback in Iron Bowl history.
His sentence requires him to serve at least six months in jail and spend five months on supervised probation. He was also fined $1000. His probation includes a curfew of 7pm, prohibits him from going on Auburn's campus or attending a college sporting event. Restitution amounts will be considered at a later date and are automatically doubled under Alabama law.
The now-skeletal trees are scheduled to be removed on April 23.
Traditionally Auburn fans gather at Toomer's Corner to celebrate victories. Today Auburn fans gathered for the Tigers' A-Day football game at Jordan Hare Stadium and had one more opportunity of a celebratory rolling.
WAR EAGLE!!!
...rewrite from an AP online article 3-22-13
