
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, December 16, 1994                   TAG: 9412160044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SEATTLE                                 LENGTH: Short

ILLEGAL IMPRISONMENT IS CHARGED

A state trooper accused of giving a couple a lecture against abortion after pulling them over for speeding on their way to a clinic was charged Thursday with unlawful imprisonment and official misconduct.

Lane W. Jackstadt, 34, ``abused his power as an officer of the State Patrol,'' Attorney General Christine Gregoire said.

Jackstadt stopped Deanna Thomas, 18, and Justin Coper, 20, for speeding July 27.

The couple said Jackstadt held them against their will about 45 minutes and led them to a church-run counseling session after learning they were on their way to an abortion appointment.

Jackstadt's lawyer, Thomas Olmstead, declared the trooper a ``political prisoner. They say it's not an abortion issue. That's a lie,'' he said.

Prosecutors said Jackstadt told the couple he was a devout Christian and sternly lectured Thomas about not having an abortion.

The trooper also allegedly told the couple he could hold them on Interstate 90 to make sure they missed their appointment at the Planned Parenthood clinic in suburban Kirkland.

Jackstadt said ``he would see what he could do about taking care of the speeding ticket if they would agree to come with him to meet with the people from his church,'' prosecutors said in court papers.

Jackstadt then crossed out the 75 mph on Cooper's citation and wrote in 65 mph, and changed the fine from $114 to $47.

After Jackstadt led them to the counseling session, the couple left. The woman later had an abortion.

The State Patrol is conducting an unrelated investigation into whether Jackstadt cheated on a promotion exam.

by CNB