Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Stacey Geurds | | Defense(s): | Gordon Reibman | | Judge(s): | Robert Billmeier |
Greyhound beaten, kicked to death during dispute
Hamilton, NJ (US)Incident Date: Monday, Dec 7, 2009
County: Mercer
Disposition: Dismissed (Conditional)
Person of Interest: Gordon Reibman
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A pet greyhound dog was viciously punched and kicked to death here on Monday by a state prisons program director after a domestic violence blowup with his wife, police said.
The suspect is Gordon Reibman, 60, a $100,810-a-year educational program development specialist for the state's troubled Juvenile Justice Commission, which operates facilities in Jamesburg and Bordentown.
Reibman was charged with fourth-degree animal cruelty in the dog's death, and with simple assault and criminal restraint in the domestic violence on his wife.
At several spots on the Internet, Elaine and Gordon Reibman are listed under "A Partnership of Donors" to the programs of Mercer Street Friends in Trenton.
But Hamilton police Capt. James Stevens confirmed there had been a domestic disturbance on Monday at about noon.
"At one point, apparently he (Mr. Reibman) had called the sister of the victim, and said he went a little too far," Capt. Stevens said. This was at 12:37 p.m.
"The sister called the police, and they went to the house, and he (Reibman) came to the front door, and he told the officers what had happened, and he was subsequently arrested," Stevens said. "Apparently, he stated that he had punched and kicked the dog."
The captain said he wasn't allowed by law to identify the human victim of domestic violence or tell what had happened to her, but he said Gordon Reibman "was charged with several crimes under the domestic violence with simple assault and criminal restraint."
Capt. Stevens said the woman wasn't hospitalized or even treated at a hospital. He also couldn't say whether she has a restraining order against her husband.
He did say this was the first domestic violence contact that township police have had with Reibman.
The suspect was led away in handcuffs and held on 10 percent of $20,000 bail, to spend the night at the Mercer County Detention Center.
The body of the dead dog was taken to the township's animal control office.
No one answered numerous messages left requesting comment at Reibman's home telephone on Terrapin Lane.
Reibman told police he is unemployed. According to state records he earns $100,810 annually as manager of Child Study Services, Juvenile Justice Commission, Office of Education. He is also listed as a member of the New Jersey State Special Education Advisory Council.
"The whole story sounds very sad, if true," said another member of the council who asked not to be identified. "I'm actually shocked."
JJC spokeswoman Sharon Lauchaire told The Trentonian she was unable to locate other JJC officials for comment last night on Reibman's employment.
A Trentonian source who is a JJC employee listened to the telephone message on Reibman's home phone and confirmed the voice is that of the program director.
The neighbor across the street, Rosemary Sudnick, said when she first moved in two years ago, the Reibmans said hello, "But ever since, they have been very quiet. You never see them, and their windows are always kept covered tight, whether by blinds or paper, I don't know. They're very private."
Another neighbor said Reibman seemed like a nice guy as he walked his dog in the neighborhood.
Case UpdatesWith a history of depression, but no criminal past, a Hamilton man, who was accused of assaulting his wife and killing the family greyhound, was allowed to enter a rehabilitative program, rather than face trial.
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office charged Gordon Reibman, 60, with third-degree aggravated assault and animal cruelty for the attacks that occurred in December at the home on Terrapin Lane.
Reibman applied for the pretrial intervention program, and Assistant Prosecutor Stacey Geurds did not object, said spokeswoman Casey DeBlasio.
He appeared before state Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier in Trenton on Aug. 12, and the judge ordered him to perform 150 hours of community service hours, undergo a psychiatric evaluation and take any and all prescribed medications. He is also barred from owning animals, DeBlasio said. If he successfully completes a three-year stint in the program, the charges will be dismissed.
Reibman, a former education program development specialist with the state Juvenile Justice Commission, was accused of punching and kicking his wife on Dec. 6 at about 7 p.m. The woman left the house immediately after the assault, but did not go to the hospital, DeBlasio has said.
At about 12:50 p.m. the next day, he allegedly called a family member and said he had gone "too far with Renny," the family dog and "I think she's dead," DeBlasio previously said.
Reibman's wife was in court last week and she asked the judge to lift the no-contact order. "She expressed that she has no fear of the defendant and she feels that his medications caused him to have this manic episode," DeBlasio said.
"He was clearly eligible for PTI, having no criminal history," DeBlasio said. "This was his first arrest, and it was documented on the record that the defendant has a history of depression and anxiety."
Defense lawyer Robin Kay Lord declined to comment on the charges, which will remain open until Reibman completes the program, and she would not discuss the mental issues raised in court.
"Mr. Reibman is quite satisfied with the outcome of these charges and is looking forward to putting these matters behind him," she said.
Members of Greyhound Friends of New Jersey Inc., a nonprofit rescue organization, followed the case with interest, said president Lynda Lyman. "I'm glad that some justice was served," Lyman said, adding that she hopes he gets some treatment and is glad he will not be able to own any kind of animal companion. | Source: nj.com - Aug 18, 2010
Update posted on Oct 20, 2011 - 10:37PM |
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