Posted on 10/08/2004 9:29:52 PM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A man who beheaded the German shepherd he had named for his girlfriend was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life under the state's three-strikes law. James Abernathy, 43, of La Habra, was convicted in June of felony animal cruelty for killing the dog, named Marie, after a fight with his girlfriend.
Abernathy would have faced a maximum of six years if not for two prior convictions in 1986 for assault with a deadly weapon. "The community is much safer after the judge's ruling," said Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown. Defense lawyers claimed Abernathy suffered from schizophrenia and psychotic delusions. The judge, however, ruled he was sane at the time of the January 2002 violence.
"In the two years I've known him, he's been on anti-psychotic medication and he's probably one of the calmest, most rational, pleasant people I've ever dealt with in this system," said Abernathy's attorney, William Morrissey. He must serve at least 20 years before he becomes eligible for parole, Brown said.
The guys beheading hostages in Iraq, if captured alive, will not see that many years in prison (20 maximum?) and words do not exist in the English language to describe what they are. I'm going to bed.
This is, after all, a third strike.
May the head of the dog torment him for the rest of his miserable life.
Beheading a dog does not strike me as the act of a stable person. Many serial killers exhibit the same traits, if you check their history. He knew about the 3-strike rule in advance.
Thats all the statement anybody here needs from you to make an informed decision about your posts.
BigMack
Yeah I am personnally happy to hear that they sentenced that guy. What a horrible person.
I'd like to know what his other 2 convictions were. If they were really bad, then I'm happy with the sentence.
Oh I see. So a man can rape a seven year old and get just a couple months. A baby can be aborted partially out of the womb until it's nine months. But don't you DARE hurt an animal.
Pardon me while I vomit.
Yeah this guy is really stable. Maybe he could be your neighbor. He didn't get to strike three by being good citizen material. Good riddance to a psychotic criminal.
Having a little trouble with your reply..
"when we condone (and applaud) the slaughter of farm animals."
Wanna explain this line? Since you claim to be "christian" are you saying that it is wrong for us to use farm animals for food?
Bingo.
He should be put away on the legitimate prior crimes and not this charge.
Again, how can we condone eating meat of any sort or killing other mammals such as mice and believe killing a dog is inherently wrong?
We have deemed our domesticated pets as "human". They are not.
Please be consistent and encourage people to turn themselves in for involuntary animal murder when their actions result in roadkill.
If only the doctors who kill babies could serve appropriate time!
The sad part is that this is more time than he would have gotten if he's killed the girlfriend Marie. Peta is happy though.
I will be glad to explain.
As one who grew up on a farm, I know what it means to care for, and subsequently slaughter, animals.
I believe we are intrinsically allowed to kill all animals and insects but should seek to be an appropriate steward of them.
I don't have a problem with this SOB's sentence at all.
If the bastard had beheaded my dog, he'd be pushing up daisies.
He should be grateful he's just somebody's boyfriend.
Not the same thing. He was convicted of cruelty to an animal, a felony. Look at this guys priors. I wouldn't weep for this cretin.
I think he struck out!
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