Need letters for court.....Man Kills Grey with BB gun

[Lisa B]

Anyone who wishes to voice concerns please do so in this thread. I will print them out and send them to the prosecutor handling the case. His court date is Sept 9th so it has to be done quickly.

He has applied for admission into what is called the Pre-Trial Intervention program. That's for first-time offenders. If accepted, they are put on probation, pay some fines and maybe do some community service. If they don't violate any conditions of probation, the charge is dismissed from their record and he or she would not have a conviction. The local courts have had a few animal cruelty cases in the past and PTI is usually what happens in those cases.

Please unite and make a differnce for poor Mikey.

Police: Randolph man's parrot annoyed him, so he shot it | dailyrecord.com | Daily Record

[MissV]

This is very cut and dry pre-meditated murder, alcohol-related or not. Not only did this man kill a living creature that can live just about as long as the average human and is suspected to have near the same level of intelligence, but he also killed what was supposed to be a loved family pet. To add to this, despite claiming to be intoxicated when doing it, he seems to show no remorse after the fact.

It has been largely proven over time that those who are violent against animals eventually move towards violence against human beings. At the very least, this should stay on his record permanently to warn others of his violate history. This man killed a complex animal staring right at it at near-point-blank rage. He deserves to do proper time and not get off easily for this.


And for such a momunmentally stupid reason too. He was watching TV and that was more important than this bird's life? That's sick, and what does it show about our justice system if we treat this as a valid excuse?

[girly]

He killed a creature, cut and dry. Guilty of murder.

[xafsmom]

This is an outrage. The courts need to stop wrist slapping these people so gently. They pre-meditated murdering a sentient, loving, thinking being and then perpetrated it. If they don't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law available to them, then they should bury their heads in shame.

[Lisa B]

come on gang, here's you chance to make a difference!
I want at least 100 letters to send off tomorrow!!!!

[kali]

Here in Australia, African Greys are pretty much out of most people's price range. We view them in stores and on TV and dream of them day we might be able to share our lives with a creature proven to have nearly the intelligence of a 3 year old child. Honestly, it completely sickens me that this man could just murder one in cold blood. I have had the opportunity to interact with a few and they are AMAZING. So intelligent they can use words they have only heard once and identify shapes and colours in context. I am truly disgusted. Were the bird in my life I would have showered it with love, toys and affection and let birds do what they do, which includes screaming! This man who can murder a creature and show no remorse, should be punished to the full extent of the law. Maybe then, he can deter other people from doing the same. This story bring tears to my eyes. It doens't matter that I am on the other side of the world.. a living creature is still just that, LIVING. And for someone to take a life so recklessly and again, with no remorse, needs to be punished.

[hollyhawkz]

To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Honorable Judges,

Please take careful consideration in granting a Pre-Trial Intervention program. There are far greater issues here that will not be rehabilitated through this kind of program, as good as it is.

The individual in question, has a long history of alcoholism, and is predisposed to violence. His first step was to take it out on an innocent sentient being that could not fight back. I need not tell you that in this basic personality type, this is only a first step toward violence against fellow human beings. It is therefore you responsibility to assure that there is an appropriate criminal record, and that an effective level of early intervention is implemented to protect society from further damage.

A slap on the wrist and a PTI program will simply not due in this case. If you do not prosecute to the fullest extent of the law available, you will be ultimately responsible for a foreseeable violent future.

__________________

[FloorCandy]

To WHom it may Concern,

It has come to my attention recently that a man by the name of Dennis Zeglin recently murdered the family pet, African Grey Parrot "Mikey" because it annoyed him while he watched a Nascar race. The fact that this man may be permitted admission into what is called the Pre-Trial Intervention program really concerns me. The idea that this man can behave for a period of time, and do some community service in exchange for a clean record just sickens me. African Grey Parrots have the intelligence of a 3 year old child, and this man murdered one in cold blood. This type of behavior is often indicative of a more serious problem that will escalate over time. Perhaps next time a neighborhood child will interrupt his television show, or perhaps the family dog? What could happen then?

I am by no means saying that a person with a clean record should be locked up for their first offense and the key thrown away, but he should not be allowed to erase the evidence of his shameful behavior. When someone runs a background check for employment they should receive a full detailed view of his actions in order to judge if he is the best candidate. Should a man with a short fuse be allowed to work with children or animals? Probably not, but if his crime is erased that is exactly what could happen. So many people join court mandated substance abuse programs under false pretenses. With the actual permanent recovery rate so low, I am led to wonder if many people would join of their own wishes for a clean life, or because they were caught, and find this is their way out of trouble. I grew up in an alcoholic home, and every time my step-father lost a job because of his drinking, or got dragged home by the police, he joined a recovery program, and it never stuck because he did not want to change, he just wanted to avoid divorce or prosecution. Once things settled down, he went back to his ways.

I am a firm believer that people sometimes need to realize the full consequences of their actions before any permanent change can come about. If Mr. Zeglin is let off with a slap on the wrist, what motivates him to really adjust his lifestyle? When his second offense comes around that may motivate stronger actions, but what will that do for the victim? Forcing him to be responsible for his first offense may be able to prevent any further victims. It is well known that people who hurt other people often start out by hurting animals.

[some-budgie-loves-me]

To Whom It May Concern,

Mr. Zeglin's killing of his family's pet parrot, "Mikey," is both saddening and shocking. A person who would shoot at a defenseless, caged animal demonstrates a propensity for cruelty and violence that would be unwise to overlook. Mikey had been a family pet for more than 20 years. Disregarding this long history and the relationship the pet had with his wife and son, Mr. Zeglin chose to end Mikey's life without any thought for the pain he would inflict on the bird or his family. I would like to see Mr. Zeglin spend time incarcerated for this crime, not only to see justice for an innocent animal, but to protect society for his actions.

[Lisa B]

I have 51 gathered....if you wish to do it pm, please do and include your name thanks!