Fla. Man Gets New Trial in Pig Stabbing

Newsday ^

[formercalifornian]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- An appeals court has granted a new trial to a man convicted of stabbing a potbellied pig, then blurting out in drunkenness that he wanted pork chops.

Edwin "Louie" Deason, 45, was convicted of two counts of felony cruelty to animals in March 2003.

His attorney had argued that a neighbor, Bob "Big Bob" Wehrheim, was the one who plunged a rusty knife into the pig, severing a main nerve and forcing county Animal Care and Control workers to euthanize the 50-pound animal.

The 4th District Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday that the "trial court abused its discretion" by keeping the jury from hearing Deputy Robert Catalano testify that Wehrheim was an informant in unrelated cases.

[formercalifornian]

The headline alone was worth a post.

[muir_redwoods]

eat meat and enjoy it but to torture and animal is to deserve jail

[Chad Fairbanks]

I wonder how many cop-haters saw this headline, and got excited only to have their hopes dashed ;0)

[GeronL]

who owned the pig??

Thats the important question.

[formercalifornian]

I'm assuming it's his own pig, but it's hard to tell from the story.

[Texasforever]

Whew, Hillary's alright.

[formercalifornian]

Yes, but is Michael?

[Texasforever]

If it is him I would love to be on the pig sticker's jury. I would vote acquittal in a heartbeat.

[GeronL]

why would it be illegal to kill your own pig??

[formercalifornian]

two counts of felony cruelty to animals in March 2003.

I guess it's still cruel, even if it's your own. You gotta kill any pig, though, to get pork chops.