Justice for Mickey
For those who are not familiar with the horrific event that occurred on March 2, 2019 in his home on Alberton Ave, in Euclid, a man named Alfred Schlick is alleged to have stabbed his female dog, "Mickey" to death, while under the influence.
The 8 page police report including officers statement and Schlick's statement to the officer that arrested him, is public knowledge. The veterinarian's report is not yet public pending the actual trial. Although the fact remains that Mickey did indeed suffer in death with wounds consistent with "puncture" and not gun shot.
Goddard’s Law, HB 60 (now ORC 959.131) was created for just this scenario and in my opinion, is being trivialized and mocked by the action of Prosecutor Mary Riley Casa.
Another vital pretrial is now set for Thursday, July 11, 2019. On that day the defense and prosecutor may arrive at a plea deal.!!!!!! On that day it will not be 'deal or no deal' as seen on tv. This is a reality show called......'no deal'.
There will be a peaceable rally/get together outside the Euclid muni court doors at 8 a.m. sharp and enter courtroom at 9 a.m. sharp. Bring your own sign.
Up until June 2016, anyone in Ohio could kill a companion animal in public and only be charged with a misdemeanor. House Bill 60, also known as "Goddard's Law" now called ORC 959.131 changed all that.
The new legislation makes knowingly causing "serious physical harm" to a companion animal a felony!!!
Yes, killing is serious physical harm. As if that has to be explained.
Alfred Schlick is charged with animal cruelty, a felony that was charged by Prosecutor Mary Casa as a misdemeanor for allegedly stabbing his dog to death.
However, by intentionally killing his dog, Schlick violated ORC 959.131 causing serious physical harm to a companion animal a fifth-degree felony in Ohio.
Euclid Prosecutor MARY RILEY CASA has charged Schlick with a misdemeanor of the 1st degree in a case pending before Euclid Municipal Judge Patrick Gallagher. That is unacceptable.
The Law Director Sweeney said IF Mickey the dog had been only seriously harmed and not killed, he (Schlick) would be subject to a felony and to take the problem to the prosecutor (Casa) who said the decision had been made and that she (herself) had used prosecutorial discretion. Excuse me? The problem is that the prosecutor (Casa) said that the decision has been made, and that she has prosecutorial discretion.
So, if Mary Casa has prosecutorial discretion, then why is the truth being avoided, discarded and ignored? Ms. Casa should face the truth of the "serious harm" (orc 959.131) done by bloody stabbing of 'mickey', the innocent, helpless, loving pet, resulting in death and change the charge to a felony.
Many studies in psychology, sociology and criminology in the past 25 years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty [PDF]. The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children.
Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of other forms of violence, including child abuse, spousal abuse and elder abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.
For the record, we adamantly and respectfully insist that no plea deal be considered and the suspect, Alfred Schlick, be sentenced to a minimum of 6 months in jail. With other required restrictions, i.e. probation, community service and public humiliation to follow.
PLEASE, CALL Pros. Mary Casa at 216-289-2760, Law Director Kelly Sweeney at 216-289-2740, and e-mail Judge Patrick Gallagher through clerk Keith Hurley at "khurley@euclidmunicourt.com", Attn: Judge Patrick Gallagher. Send a powerful message that animal torture, mistreatment and murder must be addressed with strict prison time in the city of Euclid. Our hometown.
The outcome of this case will be remembered at election time.
Sincerely,
Vonnie L. Hayden