SALEM, OR (KPTV) -
In
the online manifesto of a former police officer targeted in a multi-state
manhunt following a shooting spree in southern California, Christopher Dorner
writes about a man named James Usera.
"To lean about what's gone on in
the last few days pretty shocking," said Usera.
Usera,
an attorney in Salem, said he went to school with the suspect at Southern Utah
University from 1998 to 2001. Usera said they played on the football team
together.
"He was intelligent, articulate, and
always seemed rational minded to me. This is the last thing you would expect of
anybody."
In
an interview with Fox 12 Thursday, Usera said he never saw any signs of
violence from Dorner, but he hadn't spoken to him since 2008.
Dorner called him that day and
mentioned a grievance at work, but he said the former Los Angeles police
officer didn't seem overly upset about it.
"He was concerned about it at
least in the extent that one would be concerned about their job," said Usera. "But
other than that it didn't strike me as extraordinary or noteworthy, other than
he mentioned it."
Dorner
had nothing but praise for his old college friend in his manifesto posted on
Facebook. Police said that same posting implicated Dorner for the deaths of a
man and woman found shot in their car at a parking structure in Irvine over the
weekend.
One of the victims was the
daughter of a former police captain.
The Los Angeles Times printed
the manifesto and the part that mentions Usera. It says:
"James Usera, great
friend, attorney, father, husband, and the most cynical/blatant/politically
incorrect friend a man can have. Best quality about you in college and now is
that you never sugar coated the truth. I will miss our political discussions
that always turned argumentative. Thanks for introducing me to outdoor sports
like fishing, hunting, mudding, and also respect for the land and resources. Us
city boys don't get out much like you Alaskans. You even introduced me to PBR.
A beer, that when you're a poor college student is completely acceptable to get
buzzed off of. I'm sorry I'll never get to go on that moose and bear hunt with
you. I love you bro."
Usera said he read that, but
because it was all positive toward him, he's not fearful of being a potential
target.
"My hope
is that he comes to the conclusion that this is not going to make that grudge
go away," said Usera. "This isn't going to solve any problems. Frankly, the
best thing he can do is turn himself in."
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