Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Cats stomped to death by convicted rapist

Cats stomped to death by convicted rapist
Annapolis, MD (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Jul 10, 2006
County: Anne Arundel
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Charges: Felony CTA

Abuser/Suspect: Michael Alan Poole

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 10323

Classification: Kicking/Stomping

Animal: cat

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Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior

A homeless man charged with stomping an Annapolis woman's two cats to death is pleading insanity.

Michael Alan Poole, 24, was arrested in July after going to a home on Smithville Street twice in two days, each time killing a cat belonging to Annie Parker, city police said.

When Mr. Poole went to the house a third time, Ms. Parker's son called 911 and police found Mr. Poole nearby, according to charging documents.

Mr. Poole admitted what he'd done and even showed police where he'd left one of the animals, police said.

After police arrested Mr. Poole, they asked whether he ever had thoughts of harming himself, and he said he'd considered suicide.

"The cats are dead, so I should die, too," he told Officer Ryan Thiel.

Police committed Mr. Poole for an emergency psychiatric evaluation. In court papers filed in November, Assistant Public Defender Karl H. Gordon said Mr. Poole is not responsible for the crime because didn't understand that what he was doing was wrong.

A judge ordered the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to evaluate Mr. Poole and issue a report.

For now, prosecutors are taking no position on the insanity plea.

"We have to wait for that report before making any comments," said Kristin Riggin, a spokesman for the State's Attorney's Office.

Police said Mr. Poole had been coming around Ms. Parker's house for several months and seemed interested in her cats. Ms. Parker's son said he was "kind and gentle" with the cats.

But on July 10, one of the cats apparently bit or scratched Mr. Poole, and he killed it, police said.

The next day, Mr. Poole "came by the house again and went directly to where the cats were and just started stomping on one of the cats," Officer Thiel wrote.

Ms. Parker told Mr. Poole never to come back, but the next afternoon he did and her son called police.

A relative said Ms. Parker declined to comment.

Mr. Poole, who lists the Light House shelter on West Street as his home, was convicted of second-degree rape in 2001 in Baltimore County. Court records show that the case involved a 13-year-old girl.

After violating probation, he was sentenced to five years in prison, but a judge recommended that he be admitted to Spring Grove Hospital for psychiatric treatment.

A prison system spokesman said he was released in July 2005.

Case Updates

A judge has freed a homeless man serving two years for stomping an elderly woman's cats to death after the man complained he was being physically and sexually abused by inmates.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Michael Loney called a hearing Monday for state prosecutors and Michael Poole's defense attorneys to respond to the 24-year-old's letter dated June 13.

In the 12-page letter, Poole told Loney, "I allowed this to happen because I was young. I was afraid and vulnerable and if I refused they probably would rape me forcefully or kill me for not doing what they asked."

Poole pleaded guilty in April. At his sentencing, the judge "It's regrettable there aren't more suitable settings."

Poole's attorney said his client is bipolar and developmentally disabled.

Poole will live with a friend until a social worker can find a treatment program for him, Loney said. So far state prosecutors said plans to place him at halfway houses and other options have fallen through.

Poole was arrested one year ago, after he went to 86-year-old Annie Parker's house and stomped a cat to death two days in a row. Police said he had been visiting her home for several months and had played with the cats he later killed.

Source: WJZ - July 17, 2007
Update posted on Jul 18, 2007 - 8:55AM

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A homeless man who stomped two Annapolis cats to death last summer was sentenced yesterday to two years behind bars.
Michael Alan Poole, 24, whose attorney described him as bipolar and developmentally disabled, apologized to the court for killing the pets of 86-year-old Annie Parker and said he needs help.

"I can't keep running away from the people who are trying to help me. ... I've learned my lesson," said Poole, who has spent the past nine months in jail. "I do not hurt people on purpose. I don't enjoy committing crimes."

The Humane Society of the United States recognized the incident as one of the 100 worst animal cruelty cases in the nation last year.

Poole pleaded guilty in April to one count of mutilating an animal after a state psychiatrist found him competent to stand trial and able to tell right from wrong. Animal mutilation is a felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison

Circuit Court Judge Michael E. Loney sentenced Poole to three years in prison, but suspended one of them. The judge openly lamented having to send a man with such mental problems to prison.

"It's regrettable there aren't more suitable settings," he said.

Citing a hospital report, however, he said Poole needed a structured setting. After his release - which could be in a matter of months, since prison officials will probably require him to serve only half of his sentence - Poole will be on supervised probation for three years.

Assistant Public Defender Karl H. Gordon tried to place his client with several treatment centers and halfway houses, but plans repeatedly fell through.

Poole, who lists the Light House shelter on West Street as his home, was convicted of second-degree rape in 2001 in Baltimore County and is now a registered sex offender.

Mr. Gordon said that represented a "significant placement problem" and asked the judge to release Poole with time served.

"To incarcerate because of his mental health condition, I would argue, is ... wrong," he said, noting "at least 12 inches" of medical records in Poole's file.

Assistant State's Attorney Kimberly DiPietro said she also is frustrated by the state's lack of mental hospitals, but argued that Poole should remain in jail if he can't be placed in a more suitable facility.

"There is zero plan for him," she said, adding that he's technically homeless.

Poole was arrested July 12 after going to a home on Smithville Street twice in two days, each time killing a cat belonging to Ms. Parker, city police said.

Police said he had been coming around Ms. Parker's house for several months and seemed interested in her cats. Ms. Parker's son actually told police the man was normally "very kind and gentle" with the cats.

But on July 10, one of the cats apparently bit or scratched Poole, and he killed it, Ms. DiPietro said. She added later that he thought the cat had rabies.

The next day, Poole "came by the house again and went directly to where the cats were and just started stomping on one of the cats," Officer Ryan Thiel wrote in his police report.

When Poole went to the house a third time, Ms. Parker's son called 911 and police found the man nearby, according to charging documents.

Poole admitted what he'd done and even showed police where he'd left one of the animals, police said.

While police were questioning Poole, he said he should die because of what he did to the cats. He was taken to the hospital for an emergency psychiatric evaluation.

During yesterday's hearing, Poole repeatedly pleaded with Judge Loney to let him out of jail. He said other inmates are routinely attacking him.

"I can't go anywhere in the jail without getting beat up," he said. "I've learned my lesson. I want to go home."

Source: Capitol Online - May 22, 2007
Update posted on May 22, 2007 - 5:13PM

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Cats stomped to death by convicted rapistAnnapolis, MD (US)

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Cats stomped to death by convicted rapist
Annapolis, MD (US)