Case Details

Domestic assault and cat killing
Tulsa, OK (US)

Date: Mar 11, 2003
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Matthew Riley

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 970
Classification: Beating
Animal: cat
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A man remained jailed Tuesday for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend's friend with a hammer and killing a cat after breaking into his ex-girlfriend's apartment Saturday, police said.

Matthew Ray Riley, 19, was arrested Saturday morning on complaints of assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree burglary and cruelty to animals after he allegedly broke into an apartment in the 3300 block of East Skelly Drive and attacked a woman who was staying there, records show.

Riley reportedly went to the apartment looking for his former girlfriend, with whom he had lived briefly before the relationship ended, Officer Scott Walton said.

He broke into the apartment about 2:30 a.m. Saturday by smashing a front window with a hammer and crawling inside, the arrest report alleges.

Riley's former girlfriend was not home, but a friend who was staying with her was alone inside, Walton said.

Riley allegedly demanded to know where his ex-girlfriend was and then hit the victim several times in the head with a hammer, Walton said.

He then allegedly found a cat that belonged to his ex-girlfriend and killed it. Police suspect that he also used the hammer to hit the pet.

After Riley left, the victim fled to nearby Perry's Restaurant, 3302 E. 51st St., where Riley's ex-girlfriend was eating, and they called paramedics, Walton said.

The victim was taken to St. Francis Hospital and treated for head injuries. She has since been released. Family members said she was recuperating at a relative's home Tuesday afternoon.

Riley was arrested after he went to the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health about 5:30 a.m. Saturday and asked to be admitted for depression, Walton said. Authorities at the center notified police, who arrived and took Riley into custody, Walton said.

Riley is being held in lieu of $49,000 bond, records show.

Case Updates

Posted on Jul 9, 2004 - 1:44PM
Riley, now 20, pleaded guilty in April 2003 to three felonies -- first-degree burglary, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and cruelty to an animal. One year ago, Judge Gillert imposed concurrent prison terms of 20, seven and two years, respectively.

A Tulsa County judge cut a 20-year prison sentence nearly in half Tuesday for a man who pleaded guilty to using a hammer to assault a woman and kill a cat during a burglary.
A prosecutor objected to the modified punishment for Matthew Ray Riley.

A judicial review was not part of the agreement when the original sentence was negotiated in 2003, Assistant District Attorney Marny Kawano said.

District Judge Tom Gillert amended Riley's sentence to 11 years in prison plus nine years of probation.

Defense attorney J.W. Coyle III of Oklahoma City, who represented Riley on Tuesday but not when the initial term was imposed, said the new sentence is "more equitable considering this young man's circumstances and background."
Source: Tulsa World 

References

tulsaworld.com

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