Sunday, December 25, 2011

Parolee gets 10 years in animal abuse case

-- A Sacramento judge has sentenced a parolee convicted of animal abuse to serve 10 years in state prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender.

Robert DeShields was ordered to serve the maximum prison sentence Friday after being convicted of felony animal cruelty for the sexual abuse of a Chihuahua mix named "Shadow," the Sacramento Bee reported (http://bit.ly/t2zYlG).

The dog suffered severe injuries that required surgery and now lives in a foster home, the newspaper said.

DeShields, 55, described by the prosecution as a chronic methamphetamine user, was convicted after a trial that included graphic testimony.

During Friday's hearing, Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Hilary Bagley-Franzoia argued that DeShields be should treated as a sexual offender for the rest of his life because he is a danger to society.

"The public needs to be on alert," she said.

In sentencing DeShields, Superior Court Judge Thadd Blizzard said the nature of the case was "inherently sexual in nature."

Bagley-Franzoia said it may be the first time that Jessica's Law has been applied in a case involving sexual abuse of an animal.

The law, approved by California voters in 2006, lengthened sentences for sex offenders and placed other restrictions on them, including prohibiting them from within 2,000 feet of a park or school.

Defense attorney Jennifer Stoneburner said she would appeal.

Source: http://www.modbee.com/2011/12/25/2000895/parolee-gets-10-years-in-animal.html

brine turkey uc davis super committee walmart black friday ad 2011 nl mvp nl mvp verlander

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.