Man who beheaded dog is sentenced to reading `Lassie'
Chocolic
sentence I just had to post it.
http://www.charlotte.com/observer/0424dog.htm
Man who beheaded dog is sentenced to reading `Lassie'
Judge also orders 3 years probation
By JOE DEPRIEST
GASTONIA -- A 19-year-old Gastonia man who pleaded guilty Monday to
beheading and skinning a dog was ordered by a judge to reread the "Lassie"
books.
Superior Court Judge Claude Sitton sentenced Jason Vincent Revels of 3356
Scott Drive to three years probation on a felony animal cruelty charge
dating from November.
Revels was also ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation by Pathways,
the mental-health authority that serves Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland
counties. He was ordered to take any treatment that may be recommended
after the assessment and is forbidden to have pets during the probation.
Sitton also sentenced Revels to six to eight months in jail, but he won't
have to serve the time unless he violates probation.
"That he was found guilty of a felony animal cruelty charge and received
no jail time is pathetic," said Martin Mersereau, a case worker from
Norfolk, Va., with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Mersereau
said he called Gaston County prosecutors in January, encouraging them to
seek jail time for Revels. "The fact is that cruelty to animals is
considered a red flag by both law enforcement and medical professionals.
People who abuse animals almost never stop there."
Assistant District Attorney Jeanne Miller said that under state sentencing
rules Revels was not eligible to receive active jail time.
At Monday's hearing, Revels said he didn't remember killing his mother's
mixed pit bull.
"I remember coming home that night," he said. "I blacked out after that."
Sitton responded: "I don't believe your story."
When he asked whether Revels had ever read any animal books such as
"Lassie," Revels said he'd read some in that series. Sitton ordered Revels
to reread the books along with any other titles recommended by his
probation officer or psychological assessor.
Revels' lawyer, David Phillips, said the case "bothers me greatly and
should bother every citizen of Gaston County.
"This young man needs help. He has some psychological problems."
Revels declined comment after the sentencing, but Phillips said "he has
regret and remorse over this."
Revels was charged with killing the pit bull at his mother's house on Nov.
16 after Gaston Police found the dog beheaded and skinned in the yard.
Authorities also found another dead dog at the residence, but Revels was
only charged with one animal killing.
Prosecutors said Monday that Revels, who has prior convictions for assault
with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and possession of
marijuana, told police he'd killed the dog because his mother had told him
to get rid of it.
In court, Revels said he didn't remember making the statement.
Before sentencing, Sitton reminded Revels that convicted serial killer
Jeffrey Dahmer committed a similar act of animal cruelty before "he
decided to start out with people."
"I'm not trying to scare you," Sitton said. "But you better straighten
yourself up or you'll be jumping off the end of the Earth."
V.M. Bülles
Jeffrey Dahmer. And after that all they do is make the fellon read Lassie.
Some judges seem to have lost it totally. Slaughtering an animal like that
still is not so bad obviously, they naturally want to give the guy a chance
to start on humans first, and then they take action. Or will they? Took
years to catch Dahmer...when it was too late.
Vera
Chocolic <cr.hat...@worldnet.att.net> schreef in berichtnieuws
josF6.34272$RF1.2...@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
gtvin...@webtv.net
Patrice Davidson
2 Date all serial killers haf been found 2 haf started oot killing animals
(mainly cats & dogs) ...he needs mare than reading but a keen eye *if* he
tis released!!
Tisha