Judge rules insufficient evidence in computer crime

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- A former computer network administrator at the University of Oklahoma won't have to face trial on a charge of computer piracy. Cleveland County Special District Judge Reginald

Friday, February 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- A former computer network administrator at the University of Oklahoma won't have to face trial on a charge of computer piracy. Cleveland County Special District Judge Reginald Gaston ruled Thursday that there wasn't enough evidence to try Ryan Larry Breding, 25.

Breding was charged with violating the state's computer crimes act while employed by OU in 1997. He was accused by campus police of bringing OU's massive computer system to a near standstill with Internet traffic generated by an illegal Web site catering to the Internet's underworld.

The charge filed against Breding last July stated he used the site to disrupt the university's Internet service to residents in OU's Walker Tower dormitory. Witnesses said large volumes of pirated software and other material passing into and out of the illegal site prevented some residents from accessing the Internet in August 1997.

Willful interference of public access to the Web is a felony under the state's computer law. After hearing a day of testimony from police and computer experts, Gaston ruled no crime was committed. Breding, who didn't testify at the preliminary hearing, said he was not surprised the judge ruled in his favor. "I wish it didn't have to come to this," he said. Prosecutors and police said it was the first case of its kind under the computer crimes act of Oklahoma.