CONVICTED: Was justice served?
more information on voting
When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.
Case #3679 Rating: 3.7 out of 5
Puppy shot with pellet gun
Goodland, FL (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jun 4, 2000
County: Collier
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Joseph Edward Curcie
Joseph Edward Curcie, 42, of 675 Palm Court, is charged with animal cruelty. While he was boating with his three children, ages 12, 8 and 5, he asked one of them to get his pellet gun and he shot the dog which was on a pier.
The puppy had a small, puncture near the base of the neck. The veterinarian's report said the pellet tore a large vein and caused significant muscle damage. The puppy did recover and is doing well.
Curcie's trial was postponed by request of defense. Curie has several prior convictions, including battery, disorderly conduct, and possession of a controlled substance. He had told a Daily News report that his son shot the puppy.
There are witnesses who will testify they have seen Curcie with a pellet gun and neighbors who will also testify against him. Assistant State Attorney Ellen Simon said, "We have one person who saw him with a pellet gun and will say he has shot at his dog before."
Curcie's children's statements to police could also be useful in the trial. Each of the three children said they saw their father point the pellet gun at the dog and then heard the animal cry.
One child told the investigators, "Dad told us to say 'no' if the police ask if he has a BB gun or if he shot the dog with a BB gun."
It is unclear why Curcie shot the dog.
Trial is considered a high profile one. Closed door meeting was held to discuss procedural matters and who the victims are in the case.
Simon said, "Of course, there's the dog that was shot, and there's the owner. But there are also the three children. It's the state's view that they are victims as well." References« FL State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Collier County, FL
|
