Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Richard Celello | | Defense(s): | Randall Philipps | | Judge(s): | Jeffrey Barstow |
CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #16598 Rating: 2.0 out of 5
Puppies in plastic bag left in dumpster
Menominee, MI (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009
County: Menominee
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Jeremy John Goodlet
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
The Menominee man accused of abandoning six lab mix puppies who were later euthanized, will be heading to trial next fall.
On Friday, trial dates were set for 37-year-old Jeremy Goodlet who's charged with abandoning-cruelty to 4 to 10 animals.
Back in November, officers retrieved six puppies from a plastic bag in a dumpster behind a gas station. The puppies were still alive but had to be euthanized due to the degree of hypothermia.
The incident was traced back to Goodlet, however, he says his dog had three puppies inside his home and the other six outside when he wasn't home. When he eventually found the six, Goodlet claims they were cold and not moving.
He faces two years in prison if convicted.
His trial will be October 14 and 15.
Case UpdatesA Menominee man, charged with animal cruelty and neglect, has been sentenced to two months in jail.
Jeremy Goodlet, 37, entered a guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge on Monday.
Goodlet was accused of abandoning six puppies. Last November, officers retrieved the puppies from a plastic bag in a dumpster behind a gas station. The puppies were still alive but had to be euthanized because of hypothermia.
Goodlet claimed the puppies were born outside when he was not home. He said the puppies were cold and not moving.
In addition to two months in jail, he'll have to pay restitution for the humane society costs. He was also put on probation for one year, cannot own a pet during that time, and also forfeits his ownership rights to the mother of the puppies. | Source: Upper Michigans Source - October 13, 2010
Update posted on Oct 15, 2010 - 10:33PM |
Menominee County District Court Judge Jeffrey Barstow has ruled enough evidence exists to pursue felony charges of animal cruelty against Jeremy Goodlet of Menominee. Thursday's preliminary hearing was a continuation of one that started March 17.
Goodlet, 36, is accused of disposing of six puppies in a Dumpster outside the Holiday gas station Nov. 24. The puppies later died at the Menominee Animal Shelter.
Defense attorney Randall Philipps called only one person to the stand, Menominee police officer Todd Roach. Roach was the investigating officer the night the puppies were discovered.
Last month's hearing stalled after questions arose over whether Roach had to name the person who called in with a tip in the case.
The tip is what led authorities to Goodlet, his questioning and ultimate arrest. Much of the prosecution's case hinges on the information that was provided in the tip call.
It's not known if the tip was the result of a cash award offered by the Menominee Animal Shelter.
The caller had requested anonymity, saying he did not want his name mentioned in the police report. Philipps had argued the name should be known and challenged the prosecutor to cite case law that would fit this circumstance. Assistant prosecutor Bill Merkel told the judge Thursday he could not find such a precedent and Roach was ordered to reveal the name of his source.
"Steven Goodlet," said Roach.
"And who is Steven Goodlet," asked Philipps.
"I think it's a cousin," replied Roach.
Roach testified he talked on the phone with Steven Goodlet for 10 to 15 minutes on Dec. 12. Based on the information he was given, Roach said he went to Jeremy Goodlet's home the next morning to talk with him about the matter.
Roach asked Jeremy Goodlet if his dog had recently given birth to puppies. Goodlet showed Roach three living puppies, puppies that looked similar to the six that had been found in the Dumpster. "I asked (Goodlet) where the rest of the puppies were and he changed his story," Roach said.
Roach said Goodlet then told him there were nine puppies born, three inside his home and six outside.
"Did there ever come a time where Mr. Goodlet indicated to you that the six puppies in question appeared comatose and/or dead," asked Philipps.
"Yes," replied Roach.
"And did you ever say to him, 'why didn't you just bury them in the back yard?'"
"I think, yes I did," said Roach.
Roach said he could not recall Goodlet's response.
Roach said he remembers Goodlet telling him he was concerned the mother dog may consume the deceased puppies and that he did not want his young daughter to witness something like that.
Philipps intimated Goodlet may also have been concerned about burying the puppies fearing they would be dug up by other animals.
Under questioning Roach said he recalled information that was not in the original police report, including Goodlet telling him he took the six puppies into the house after they were born.
"Not only did you omit the fact that Mr. Goodlet told you he took them into the house, one reading your report would believe that he didn't take them into the house, that he simply took them and put them in a Dumpster, correct?"
"Correct," replied Roach, who added the information should have been included and that it was a mistake on his part.
Judge Barstow said he found probable cause to advance the case to Circuit Court. He continued Goodlet's bond at $5,000 and ordered that he not have any contact with Steven Goodlet. The next court date has been set for May 7 in front of Circuit Judge Richard Celello. | Source: EHExtra - April 16, 2010
Update posted on Oct 15, 2010 - 10:28PM |
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