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Claude Dallas, who killed Fish and Game officers, due to be released

Associated Press


BOISE � Claude Dallas, a self-styled mountain man who shot and killed two Idaho Fish and Game officers in 1981, will be released from prison next month, Idaho Department of Correction spokeswoman Tracy McBain said.

Dallas, 55, was moved from a Kansas prison to the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino on Jan. 15, McBain said.

He will complete his 30-year prison sentence, minus administrative reductions, on Feb. 6 for two counts of voluntary manslaughter and a weapons charge for the deaths of Bill Pogue and Conley Elms.

The two Fish and Game officers approached Dallas at his desert camp in Owyhee County accusing him of poaching game. They took a pistol he was wearing.

According to trial testimony, Dallas then pulled another pistol that was strapped to his leg, shot both officers and shot them again execution style in the head with a nearby rifle.

He was charged with first-degree murder, but claimed he shot the officers in self-defense.

A jury acquitted Dallas of murder but found him guilty of two counts of voluntary manslaughter, concealing evidence and using a firearm in the commission of a crime.

After he served several years of his sentence, Dallas escaped from the Idaho State Penitentiary in March 1986 by cutting though two chain link fences.

A massive manhunt ensued. Dallas was able to avoid capture for almost a year, despite several sightings and an unsuccessful FBI raid on a suspected hiding place in Nevada.

He was caught in Riverside, Calif., on March 8, 1987.

Several months later, a jury acquitted Dallas for the escape after he testified he had to leave the Idaho prison because the guards threatened his life.

Since then, Dallas has been incarcerated on his original conviction in prisons in Nebraska, New Mexico and Kansas, where he had been since 1989.

He was denied parole in 2001 after telling Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole he would not follow requirements including drug testing and electronic monitoring.

Imagine getting your rig stuck out in the middle of nowhere and this SOB (Claude Dallas) shows up! He might be nice and help ya but then again who knows......................

MtnHtr

JJ-IMO this kind of stuff is total BS!!!!!!! There is no none notta zero way this fella should be out let alone be above ground as we speak now!

Just my thoughts.

Dogz

Exactly Mark, this zero deserved the death penalty, period. It's this kind of BS that makes me vote Republican. Thank our liberal judges for this BS, and that is what this is, a bunch of BS.

My wife went to School with Kathy Pogue the officers daughter. I'm not for one second trying to suggest that what he did was OK or even remotely acceptable. However there has to be a reason he was not convicted of murder.

I rememember this story fairly well. There was a long standing fued between these two officers and Dallas who played cat and mouse throughout the wilderness for years. The officers had a very bad reputation among the folks of the community to. I remember vividly the folks intervied on the news saying they had hoped one day that these two guys would catch up with Claude because they deservied what they would get. It was not just a couple digruntled fishermen who had been ticketed either. It was older ladies and men that had been treated rude and unprofessionally by these two officers.

Lots of comments were tossed about regarding how the next meeting in the bush would end. There was going to be a death when the next meeting took place, both the officers and Dallas were boastfully suggesting this. I suppose I would have feared for my life as well in this situation whether or not I was Claude Dallas or the officers. This meeting in the bush was going to end up with a death or in this case two deaths. I'm not siding with anyone here! Do not misunderstand this post. The chief should have clearly instructed these two officers to take another case or have been moved to another area of Idaho to work. This situation became personal between them. By todays standards that is what would have happened. However I think the whole F&G operation saw this as big fun within the media. The Claude Dallas reports and sightings were on the evening news for a long time. One reason that he was able to stay without detection for as long as he did was through the support of nearly everyone in his community. That should show something about the support the officers did not have from the community!

I also think that most folks would agree that if you take the life of an enforcement officer Prison is not going to be all that fair or safe for you. Also why his first escape was not punished as severe as one would normally get.

I doubt that anyone outside the courthouse will ever know all the details. There is a lot about this somewhat famous case that was embarrasing to the Idaho F&G in regards to the actions of the officers and their personal vendetta against Dallas.

Make no mistake, I'm not a Claude Dallas fan or supporter. I think what occured was absolutely wrong. However there was clearly more to the story then what is seen on the surface or Dallas would have been convicted of Murder. The Evidence was significant for Dallas to win this in an Idaho court after gunning down two of Idahos finest. What actually happened in the bush to exonerate Dallas from 2 counts of Murder? Something really fishy about this in my opinion.

Remember too there was another case where a man was under investigation by Idaho F&G and the feds. Ruby Ridge where Vicki Weaver was shot in the head by a sniper from 200 yards. She was not under investigation and had commited no crime. The Shooter was never convicted of anything either! Think Claude Dallas had reason the fear his life?

Here is a clip from the news on this:
The Weaver incident has spawned many conspiracy theories, many of which include so much evidence that the conspiracy is no longer just a theory. The government's own admissions of wrongdoing and misconduct in their prosecution of Randy Weaver were so incriminating that Weaver's lawyer Gerry Spence relied soley on the government's presentation and rested his client's case without putting on a defense. The jury acquitted Weaver of the primary charges against him.

Now, almost nine years after the siege, the government may finally get to bury the case against their hired gun. An interesting twist in the trail of events following Horiuchi's manslaughter charges however, presents an opportunity for yet another conspiracy theory in the Weaver assassinations: The conspiracy to allow murder. Could seemingly unrelated events be part of a great cover up of federal murder in North Idaho?

JJHACK speaks the truth here.

To this terrible story I will add that Dallas had no choice but to shoot. (The info I get is from friends who guided in Idaho and knew the F&G Officers to be highly egotistical and asking for trouble.)

As I understand, the officers frisked Dallas who was packing two handguns. They removed one and left the other. Now! You tell me.....Why Dallas has not been totally disarmed. These officers were wanting a dual. Dallas drew faster.

I too am not a Dallas Supporter but having not been there and from the lack of support from locals to hunt down Dallas tells me that there is more to the story than has been told.

If the above story is true, what would each of you had done against a bloodthristy law officer who just "unzipped his fly" so to speak in the middle of the wilderness where there are no witnesses and no due process?

CM

Its been awhile but some details about the case are coming back. From what I remember reading, Claude's camp was located north of Winnemucca, NV near the Idaho border. The two game wardens suspected Claude of crossing over to Idaho and trapping and possessing bobcats and then sneaking em back over to to his Nevada camp. There was long standing feud between these men and Claude was able to convince the jury what he did, was out of fear for his life. He also had the support of the local community of nearby Winnemucca, there were even rumors of the locals hiding him while he was on the run. When the FBI showed up in Winnemucca to apprehend Claude, they were met with fierce opposition and uncooperative residents.

I believe there was even a Hollywood movie on the whole case, can't seem to remember its name though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

MtnHtr

Mtn Hunter,
One small correction, Dallas' camp was located in Idaho. This is why Tim Nettleton, Owyhee Co Sherriff, was the investgating officer. His investigation and pursuit of Dallas nearly bankrupt this remote, small in population but large in area, SW Idaho county. Nettleton used his own private airplane and paid his own way during most of the investigation to help offset these expenses.
The point of confusion, I think, is that the campsight was accessable only from the Nevada side of the border.

There was a book written about this and it told a very different story from your version. I have read the book, and based on the story it told, I don't for 1 second believe that Dallas' life was in danger. He had a long history of breaking game laws and when he was caught trapping out of season, he decided that he wasn't going to let the 2 F&G Officers take him in. The book says that the 2nd pistol was hidden from view and the Officers thought that they had disarmed him when they took his holstered pistol. He wasn't alone at Bull Basin and the guy who he was with testified against him. I can't believe that that guy wouldn't have supported Dallas if there was even the most minimal justification for what he did.

I also think that you are wrong by comparing it to Randy Weaver. Weaver might have been set up by the Feds to sell a sawed off shotgun, but nobody held a gun to his head and forced him to sell it, he did so willingly. If Ruby Ridge hadn't happened, he probably would have been charged, convicted, and sent into the Federal Prison System for the sale of an illegal firearm. I think that it was too bad that the FBI and BATF screwed it up so bad that he didn't go to prison. Randy Weaver is no hero, no matter how many people want to paint him as 1.

Jeff

Jeff
Randy Weaver convinced the jury the shotgun was of legal length when he sold it. It was shown the situation was a set-up. He was NOT set-up to do an illegal act, and illegal act was invented by the Feds. Randy Weaver may not be a hero, but Horiuchi is the main reason I fear my government.

The fact that government officially charged an infant with terrorism (charges were later dropped) tells me there is a serious problem.

For you to suggest the FBI an BATF made mistakes that led to Weaver's release shows a lack of familiarity with the case. For the shooter of Degan to have walked also says some very powerful things. The Feds fear the nuts in Northern Idaho and seem willing to break any law to break them.
art

I have a hard time buying the idea that the wardens somehow "got it in" for Dallas, without him doing anything first and probably several times to make them want to get him.
Where I live today, there are still people that think they are above the game laws, poach outright all through the year, and get a big kick out of the fact they got by with it. There's also plenty of locals and cousins, uncles, brothers,... you get the picture, that will take up for them no matter what.
I guess anythings possible, but for me, it sounds like he used our bullshit of a court system to his benefit and is probably laughing up his sleeve about it.
IMO, people who kill other people, that are found guilty of that, should never be turned out on to an unsuspecting public again. If it was self defense you SHOULD be cleared.
I'm with MT Hunter. Stuff like this is what makes me sleep with my Glock when I'm out hunting, especially tent camping.

Art,

You might believe Randy Weaver, but I don't. I don't agree with everything that the Feds do, and shooting Mrs. Weaver was certainly not justified, but I support the Feds in most cases.

Jeff

The book that I cited is called "Give A Boy A Gun" by Jack Olson. The ISBN is 0440131685 for the paperback edition. There are some good reader's comments on Amazon's web site, including 1 from Bill Pogue's daughter.

Examples:

Reviewer: rick esposito (california) - See all my reviews
In getting to know Claude via correspondence for several years,I believe that I can make a fairly accurate assessment of Claude's true character. Therefore, I believe I can fairly assess the book's veracity and plausibility. The book was interesting, entertaining, and exciting. Mr. Olsen presented the story in as truthful a manner as he could-considering he did not know Claude. In my opinion, overall, a very good book!

Reviewer: A reader
Read "Outlaw" by Jeff Long as well. He interviewed several key people that Mr. Olsen did not include (most declined to be interviewed at the time). All in all a fairly accurate and factual book and if you lived in the area at the time it stirs strong memories and emotions. Those who lived close to the events cannot forget Bill Pogue and Conley Elms.

Reviewer: A reader
As the daughter of Bill Pogue, one of the Game Wardens murdered by Claude Dallas, I know the true story of what happened that day. Jack Olson did a wonderful job of interviewing almost anyone involved and investigating the lifestyle of Claude Dallas that led to this tragic event. I learned as much from reading this book as I did sitting through the long and frustrating trial.

Jeff

I attended gunsmithing school in Denver '78-80. I had already heard of Pogue's reputation by the time of the fatal shooting, which was that he was "gun happy" and prone to pistol whipping suspects at the slightest excuse.

I don't know if this was true, but it was what the grapevine was laying down, even a couple states away! Given that I am not exactly the most clued in guy, and that it crossed my plate, this says something about the strength of Pogue's rep.

This is not a good attribute for an LEO.

Dallas appears to be a renegade in his own right. There is no doubt that he was a chronic and repeat poacher. As I recall, the officers removed his belt gun, but did not frisk him - and he had another piece tucked into his waistband, either in front or in the back.

I suspect his character has not changed, and that he won't last a year on the Outside.

Nor should he.

Flipside:

The Dallas case is trivial at best,as compared to stuff Politicians do routinely.

Ted Kennedy,a portly example.

Enron scandals,another.

Clinton,largely in a class unto himself.


My opinion is that the man opted judged by 12,as opposed to bein' carried by 6 and my gut tells me he had reason. That is NOT an approval rating,as much as musing out loud.

He was processed,did his time and let the poor bastard be................

Dang there's a novel thought!

Does anyone else see the logical flaws in this section?

1) was she THERE when it happened?
2) what does her being the daughter have to do with her knowing The True Story?
3) if she knows the true story, how did she learn as much reading this book as she did in the court room?
4) was she present during the intervies and investigation?

Easy does it fellas.
I remember a few years ago when Hurricane Carter was let out of jail. All the liberals hailed this a victory for a black man unjustly convicted of murder.
I heard talk show after talk show & a few interviews filled with people joining in the travesty-train of Carter's conviction.

When I researched it and found out what the evidence actually was, and why he was released from jail years later, I was so pissed off I refused to go see the movie.

As far as I'm concerned they let a murderer out of jail, then to make matters worse, he made money on his crime with TV appearances, book deals, and a movie.

I have a hard time getting behind all the speculation of this thread.

Why wasn't he convicted of murder? It might have been something as simple as the officers approaching him and detaining him. He didn't go looking for them, they went looking for him.. After that all you have is Dallas's version.

Unlike the Hurricane Carter trial, there really wasn't any evidence or eye witnesses to tell the story of what happened, just one guy who pulled the trigger, and two guys who can't tell their side of the story.

I'm not so quick to be livid,in a case frought with discrepencies.

Fact is stranger than fiction and I believe the man has justly paid the dues,passed unto him.

That don't make him an automatic dick,in my book,nor cannon fodder. I'm not a champion of the man,nor gloat his deeds,but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have a leg to stand upon and warrant reprieve of his sentence.

My hunch is,he wasn't/isn't,as vile as made to be,despite my perhaps being alone in that perception..............

Who are we talking about Carter? There were no discrepencies.
He walked on a technicality given to him by a liberal judge.

There were eye witnesses, there empty shell casings found in the car in which he was hiding in the backseat, their were threats heard, there was motive.

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I believe the man has justly paid the dues,passed unto him.

Well actually no, he got out early before he served the sentence passed unto him.