Case Snapshot
Case ID: 1620
Classification: Stabbing
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #1620 Rating: 3.0 out of 5



Thursday, Mar 7, 2002

County: King

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Albert Whiteeagle

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

An arrest warrant was issued in the case of an Auburn man charged with stabbing a dog to death while it cowered, tied up, on its own front porch.

The warrant was issued for a woman who told police she saw Albert Whiteeagle, 18, raise his hand and strike the dog three or four times on March 7, 2002. Charging papers say that Whiteeagle was armed with a knife and was stabbing the dog at that time.

The dog, a black Labrador named Zach, died the following day.

Deputy Prosecutor Greg Fullington said Tuesday he is uncertain of the whereabouts of that witness, and also of a man who was with Whiteeagle at the time of the attack.

The woman knew both men and identified them to police.

That man told police Whiteeagle told him, ``Watch and learn,'' before stabbing Zach in the back. He also told police that Whiteeagle stabbed Zach once, then tried to slice his throat three times.

Fullington said if neither witness can be found, he may have to drop the animal cruelty charge.

That charge is a class C felony that could bring Whiteeagle up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if he's convicted. However, the standard sentence range for the crime is up to 12 months in jail.

Police can't testify to what either the woman or the man told them, because that would be hearsay, which is not allowed as evidence.

But Fullington said he was hopeful he could locate the woman by the time the trial gets under way.


Case Updates

Pled Guilty Animal Cruelty in the 1st Degree, 7/16/2003, 9 months in jail (had other charges at the same time)
Update posted on Oct 31, 2005 - 9:57PM 

References

« WA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in King County, WA

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