A Vancouver woman who poisoned trees in Stanley Park to improve her view of English Bay has suffered "coast-to-coast humilation", her lawyer has claimed.

An excerpt from the CP story on globeandmail.com:

But Crown attorney Ralph Keefer told a provincial court judge the act was “selfish in the extreme” and carefully planned, and for that she should at least be fined.

June Matheson, 72, admitted to poisoning a stand of trees in front of her expensive, third-floor condominium, which were blocking her view of scenic English Bay.

In the spring of 2004, staff from Vancouver's park board found holes drilled in the base of five trees, including a maple, chestnut, oak and two London planes.

Three of the trees have since died. ...

Her lawyer, Ian Donaldson, told the judge that Ms. Matheson has already been punished by the public and the media for her actions.

Mr. Donaldson told the court Ms. Matheson had to sell her home shortly after being charged, because people were throwing rocks, eggs and even bags they used to clean up after their dogs at her apartment balcony.

“My 70-something client is now the object, truly, of feces and abuse,” he said.

Her condo sold about 14 months ago for $1.7 million.

Update:

As Sarah M. mentioned below in her comment, Ms.Matheson walked:

June Gordenia Matheson, 72, pleaded guilty to one count of committing mischief over $5,000 - but Judge Ellen Gordon gave her a(n absolute) discharge after hearing how much she had suffered through public ridicule.

Vancouver news media treated the case of the Beach Drive tree killing as a major crime, and Ms. Matheson became the target of hate mail, death threats and taunts.

"The public outcry in this case had a remarkable denunciatory effect," Judge Gordon said. "She has been humiliated."

Clearly the lesson is this: If you want to assist a scofflaw in getting off scott-free, pelt them with dog doo-doo.

But OTOH, maybe a little fecal vigilantism is in order for certain offences.