Case Details


Case Snapshot
Case ID: 16937
Classification: Shooting
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Attorneys/Judges
Judge(s): John Marnocha


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Sheepdog shot during home burlgary
South Bend, IN (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Nov 9, 2009
County: St Joseph

Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Bret Shay Walker-Humphrey
» Vincent B. Hunter, Jr. - Convicted

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office has filed a Petition Alleging Delinquency against Vincent B. Hunter, Jr., 18, of South Bend, in connection with the November 9, 2009, burglary of a home on West Bonds Street. During the burglary, the homeowners' sheepdog, "Linus," was shot and killed.

Because Hunter was under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged crimes, he has been alleged to be a delinquent child, committing the following acts that would be felonies of committed by an adult:

Count I: Burglary, a Class B felony
Count II: Animal Cruelty, a Class D felony

The Prosecutor's Office also filed a Motion for Waiver of Jurisdiction, seeking the agreement of the Juvenile Court to allow Hunter to be charged as an adult in St. Joseph Superior Court. An Initial Hearing on the allegations of delinquency and hearing on the Motion for Waiver is scheduled for May 19, 2010, at 1:30pm, in St. Joseph Probate Court, Juvenile Division.

Another individual, Bret Shay Walker-Humphrey, 20, was charged in St. Joseph Superior Court on April 21, 2010, with one count of Burglary, a Class B felony, and Animal Cruelty, a Class D felony. His initial hearing in front of St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Frese is scheduled for May 6, 2010, at 9am.

Please be advised that the charges filed against the defendant are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.


Case Updates

The campaign was called "Justice for Linus" and now it could be coming to a resolution.

Wednesday morning 18-year-old Vincent Hunter Jr. was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the burglary of a South Bend home and killing of the homeowner's sheepdog.

In court Hunter tried to apologize for his actions.

"If he was truly sorry, if he was truly sorry to the courts he would plead guilty. He stand up. He would be a man. He's not. He's a coward. He shot a three legged dog. That's a coward," says homeowner Dan Warner.

Last November Warner came home to find his three-legged "Old English Sheepdog" shot to death and his home burglarized. The dog's leg was recently amputated while recovering from cancer.

In a city-wide campaign to catch the killer, the dog's owner and friends put up billboards and distributed flyers.

During the sentencing the prosecution asked for the maximum of three years on the killing of a domestic animal felony charge.

"I wanted to see a judge send a message that you can't do this, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law for such a heinous crime," says Sandra Holderman, Linus' co-owner.

Instead the judge bumped up the other burglary charge for a total of 10 years in prison.

Another man, Brett Walker-Humphrey, was also arrested for the same charges. His trial is February 7th. It's his girlfriend that testified during the first trial and will probably testify again.
Source: wndu.com - Dec 22, 2010
Update posted on Dec 22, 2010 - 7:36PM 
As the courtroom fell silent and the judge prepared to read the verdict, Sandra Holderman nervously caressed the small piece of fur in her hands.

The tuft of gray and white hair fastened with a rubberband was all Holderman and co-owner Dan Warner had left of beloved dog Linus, who was shot and killed last year by burglars.

Jurors deliberated for just 15 minutes today before finding 18-year-old Vincent B. Hunter Jr. guilty for his role in Linus' death.

The teen was convicted of Class B felony burglary and Class D felony animal cruelty for stealing electronics and jewelry from Warner's home before shooting to death the Old English sheepdog.

"It was a family member," Warner said after the trial, with tears in his eyes.

"We lost a family member, we lost our boy," added Holderman, her voice breaking.

The state's case against Hunter started Monday and included more than six witnesses for the state, namely Warner, police officers who were called to the scene, and ballistics experts who examined the firearm used in the shooting.

The girlfriend of Hunter's co-defendant Brett Shay Walker-Humphrey also testified that she observed stolen property from Warner's home in Hunter's possession and also heard the teen bragging about killing the dog.

A fellow jail inmate also testified he had conversations with Hunter while incarcerated about Hunter shooting the animal.

Hunter denied all involvement in the crimes, and his defense attorney claimed that witnesses testifying for the state were not telling the truth. Hunter did not testify during the trial.

Holderman and Warner said they were relieved by the verdict and appreciative that jurors did their job.

Hunter will be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 22. He faces up to 26 years in prison.

Walker-Humphrey's trial is set to start Feb. 7.
Source: southbendtribune.com - Nov 23, 2010
Update posted on Nov 25, 2010 - 4:21PM 

References


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