Document text
61 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 4, 2004 Probation ordered in attack at ranch By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune An Ashland woman will spend no more time in jail for attacking a nationally known New Age guru at a local tiger rescue ranch. Michelle Ann Taylor, 44, was ordered Friday to serve three years of probation after pleading guilty earlier this week to a charge of third-degree assault. She spent nearly two months in jail following her Jan. 21 arrest at the Oregon Tiger Sanctuary off Highway 140 near Eagle Point. In the heat of an argument, Taylor threw a wine glass at Penny Torres, who owns and operates the tiger sanctuary, said Tim Barnack, deputy district attorney for Jackson County. Taylor then cut Torres’ arms and face with pieces of the broken glass, Barnack said. Taylor also fired four shots from a .38-caliber revolver in Torres’ general direction, but never intended to shoot her, Barnack added. "She was just trying to scare her," Barnack said. Other residents of the ranch heard the argument and intervened, Barnack said. Taylor also was cut in the fray, but neither woman was seriously injured, Barnack said. Advertisement In exchange for Taylor’s plea, the District Attorney’s Office agreed to dismiss five other counts of carrying and using a dangerous weapon, reckless endangering and menacing in the case. The attack was totally out of character for Taylor, said her defense attorney Lisa Greif, adding that her client had no previous criminal record. Taylor declined to comment on the crime. A long-time friend of Torres, Taylor also reportedly worked at the ranch. Torres agreed with the sentence, Barnack said. She did not appear at Friday’s hearing in Jackson County Circuit Court. Torres is known nationally for her meditation seminars and as the New Age channeler of "Mafu," an alleged ancient enlightened being who supposedly walked the earth when Pompeii prospered. She founded the Oregon Tiger Sanctuary in 1991. It is not open to the public. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities