Meet Bob Friel: The Tale of Barefoot Bandit

On April 7, 2012, Kate and I had the honor of meeting author Bob Friel at a book signing at the Joint Base Lewis-McCord BX. Mr. Friel was there to promote his new book, "The Barefoot Bandit: The True Story of Colton Harris-Moore, New American Outlaw."

When I purchased my copy of his book, Mr. Friel promised that it was full of the flavor of Washington. Yes, he does deliver. He and his signficant other, Sandi, resided in Orcas, the largest of the San Juan Islands, during Colton Harris-Moore's crime spree. Mr. Friel knows and understands the people who live in this rural area -- whether they are the impoverished residents of central Camano Island or wealthy homeowners who only stay at their beachfront properties on weekends or during the summer. The amusing anecdotes and details he provides bring the San Juan Islands to life.

Bob Friel's book opens with a 17 year old boy breaking into a small plane hangar in Orcas. Although he has never had any flight instruction, he steals a 1999 Cessna 182 and flies it over the Cascades during a storm. After crash landing on a hillside in Mill Creek Ridge, he steps out of the plane and eludes the authorities. The swashbuckling adventures of Colton Harris-Moore, affectionately known as the Barefoot Bandit, have begun.

Mr. Friel discusses the bandit's childhood on Camano Island. Colton's entire clan was fond of going barefoot, which they attributed to being descended from the Sioux Indian tribe. His mother, Pam Kohler, drank heavily and was involved with a number of unsavory men. Colton grew up in poverty and lived with his mother in a run down, old trailer. Overall, I felt that Mr. Friel was sympathetic toward Ms. Kohler. I'm not sure if other writers would have been as kind to her as Mr. Friel was.

I was slightly disappointed that Mr. Friel's book did not include more about Colton's defense attorney, John Henry Browne. Mr. Browne is one of the best attorneys and most fascinating characters in Washington. According to the Seattle Times, Mr. Browne accepted Colton Harris-Moore's case for one dollar because he sincerely believed that Colton needed help. He claims to be on the verge of bankruptcy because he devoted so much time to Colton's case. Although the Barefoot Bandit was accused of 67 crimes, he was sentenced to only seven and a half years in prison. The court accepted this plea bargain after Mr. Browne described how Colton was abused and neglected as a child. While the court proceedings were taking place in Coupeville, Pam Kohler threatened to put Mr. Browne out of business. I would have liked to have known Mr. Friel's opinion about why Ms. Kohler was so angry at the man who did so much to help her son.

John Henry Browne is currently defending Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, the Fort Lewis soldier who is accused of murdering 17 civilians in Afghanistan. Mr. Browne is also writing an autobiography called "Music, Metaphysics, and Murderers." While we are waiting for his memoir to be published, Bob Friel's tale about the Barefoot Bandit is an excellent read. Try it and savor the flavor of Washington.

The Legend of the Barefoot Bandit Comes to an End

On December 16, 2011, the swashbuckling adventures of Colton Harris-Moore -- Washington's beloved "Barefoot Bandit" -- officially came to an end in Coupeville when Island County Judge Vickie Churchill sentenced him to more than seven years in prison.

Twenty year old Colton pleaded guilty to 16 felonies in Island County and 17 felonies in San Juan County. Having already pleaded guilty to federal charges in Seattle, he will be sentenced in federal court next year. Fox recently bought the movie rights to his story, but Colton will use all the proceeds to pay restitution to his victims.

According to the Associated Press, Colton became a cult hero during a two year crime spree in which he eluded police by stealing boats, planes, guns and cars. He earned the moniker "the Barefoot Bandit" because he often left bare footprints when he fled from his crimes. He burglarized homes and businesses in eight states, Canada and the Bahamas. Colton taught himself to fly by reading manuals and watching online videos. He was arrested in July 2010 after he stole a plane in Indiana, flew it to the Bahamas and crashed it into a swamp.

Before the sentencing, Colton wrote a six page letter to Judge Churchill in which he took full responsibility for his actions. He stated that he "wouldn't wish his childhood on his darkest enemies."

Colton was raised in a debilitated mobile home in Camano Island, Washington by an abusive, alcoholic mother and her convict boyfriends. He has stated that his first memory is of his mother telling him that she wished he was stillborn. Colton has also stated that he first broke into a neighbor's home for food when he was 13 because he was so hungry. His attorney claims that his mother often failed to provide food for him and spent the bulk of her income on alcohol and cigarettes.

According to the Everett Herald, a CPS worker described Colton's childhood home as putrid, filled with dirty clothes, papers and food covered in mold and mildew. Ironically, CPS cut short their investigations due to his mother's lack of cooperation. Is anyone really surprised that CPS let this poor child slip through the cracks?

According to the Los Angeles Times, Colton's mother, Pam Kohler, is angry because defense attorneys have been telling lies about her. "John Henry Browne has to blame all of Colt's problems onto something, so he evidently chose me," Ms. Kohler told KIRO radio in Seattle. "I'm going to destroy him when this is over."

I thought that Ms. Kohler's statement was rather odd because it suggests that she is more concerned about her reputation than her son's welfare. She doesn't seem to realize that her threats only make her look worse. I'm a mother myself. If one of my children was being charged with a multitude of crimes as Colton was, I'd be happy and grateful that my child had a good defense attorney. I certainly would not be threatening to destroy those who were trying to help my child. Good mothers put their children's needs before their own.

I'm not a fan of Pam Kohler, but I can't help but wonder why Colton's teachers, neighbors, and the community of Camano Island did not do more to help this hungry, neglected boy. The moral of the Barefoot Bandit's legend is quite simple. If we don't want hungry children to break into our homes and steal our food, we should be willing to help the less fortunate.