Harvey Updyke, the man allegedly responsible for poisoning the Toomer's Corner oak trees, was arrested in Louisiana on Sept. 18 and charged with terrorizing.
Updyke, 64, was trying to return a lawn mower to a home improvement store and became angry when the manager wouldn't credit him the full $150, the police report says.
When the arresting officer suggested Updyke call a lawyer, the Alabama football fan refused, saying "he would take care of this on his own," the Times-Picayune reported on its website Monday.
"He had a sad story," Hammond Police spokesman Lt. Vincent Giannobile said, according to the paper. "He said he was going to prison anyway, he had a bad heart, and he didn't care. He kept insinuating that he wasn't going to take no for an answer."
Updyke, who is also wanted in Texas on the same charge, is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 1 for the Auburn tree poisoning. He is accused of poisoning the century-old trees after the Tigers beat the Crimson Tide during Auburn's 2010 national title season. Updyke has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect on charges that include criminal mischief and desecrating a venerable object.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
