CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #6394 Rating: 2.6 out of 5
Horse stolen in 2003 still missing
Goshen, CT (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 31, 2003
County: Litchfield
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: David Scott
The thoroughbred gelding named "Doc" was reported missing more than two years ago after a sale to David Scott, 42, officials said.
Scott pleaded no contest on November 30, 2005 to third-degree larceny and making a false statement in Bantam Superior Court.
Scott, who was originally charged with second-degree larceny, agreed to a plea bargain with the state contingent on a $6,000 payment by Feb. 28, 2005 to the woman who sold him the horse.
Whether Scott comes up with the payment or not, he will avoid a jail sentence, according to the plea bargain. If he pays the victim, he will only be convicted of making a false statement and a year in jail will be suspended in favor of three years of probation, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Andrew Wittstein said. If Scott fails to make the $6,000 payment by the sentencing date he will be convicted of third-degree larceny, a Class D felony, and serve the same amount of probation, with two and a half years suspended jail time, Wittstein said.
"The state's primary interest in this case has always been restitution to the victim," Wittstein said.
Scott and Jo Harmon, a Houston rancher, met through an equine Web site where Harmon listed Doc for sale for $8,500, Harmon said. The horse was brought up to Scott who gave Harmon a $1,600 deposit and agreed to make payments for the remainder of the sale price.
Scott cancelled the check, Wittstein said, and a dispute arose as to the ownership of the horse. The animal was shuffled to different stables and was reported missing in August 2003.
Wittstein said the horse is still missing.
Scott was sentenced to serve 18 months probation in April 2004 for a prior conviction for fourth-degree larceny, according to court records.
References« CT State Animal Cruelty Map
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