Dog Murder
 

Dog murder? Somebody sent me an email directing me to an online petition in case#SC153949, Superior Court of Marin County, CA.

Somebody claims their neighbor murdered their dog and he's in jail on $100,000 bail. Now they have this online petition going, 4653 names so far, to pressure the courts into throwing the book at this guy, Frank Garduno.

I don't know if Garduno is guilty or not, but it seems like a perversion of the legal system for thousands of people, from all over the place, to pressure the courts for the dude's scalp, simply on the petitioner's say so.

Sure, it's a horrible thing to happen, but railroading someone that may not be guilty is not right.

From what I have read, online petitions really don't count for much... No verification that the person typing a name, is that person...

Don't know the details of this case, but one can't murder a dog. It's not a person. It's property.

There are laws about cruelty to animals, sure. That's applicable here.


The web site's interesting. A free place to post whatever petition you might want. I'd post a joke one right now to have Lucas remove Jar Jar Binks from the Star Wars prequels, but it's too much work. Lots of detailed forms to fill out.

I do not see how such a petition wouldn't be prejudicial. It would be like letting a jury watch news coverage of the case.

It only presents one side and would clearly prejudice a jury, but I doubt a case like this would warrant a jury trial.

warrant one? Perhaps not, but defendants have the right to a jury trial, but may elect a bench trial. Has nothing to do with the type or severity of crime.

Is it a felony?

I seriously doubt it. Criminal mischief at the most.

That's why I didn't think he'd get a jury trial.

Justice is not vengeance. Popular views don't enter into it.

Popular views do make an impression on elected officials like DAs and Judges, however.

honestly i think it should all depend on the circumstances involved in the crime. i don't think his punishment should be the same, if lets say the guy was getting drunk in his backyard and the dog wandered over and the guy shot it as opposed to the guy snuck into his neighbors house at 4:00am, raped the dog then slit it's throat. i personally love dogs and if anyone ever did anything to my dog i would take it the same as if it happened to any other family member.