Handguns
Subscribe
Home› Off Topic
man whose 4 pit bulls mauled woman is found guilty of second-degree murder
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/273261981.html
Thumbs up to the jurors ...
LANCASTER, Calif. — A jury on Friday found a man guilty of murder after his pit bulls mauled a woman to death in a high desert town in California where residents said they carried rocks and guns for protection against packs of dogs.
Alex Donald Jackson, 31, was convicted of second-degree murder and could get 24 years to life in prison at his sentencing scheduled for Oct. 3.
Jackson owned four pit bulls that mauled 63-year-old Pamela Devitt during her morning walk in Littlerock on May 9, 2013.
Devitt died from blood loss after being bitten 200 times, the coroner's office said. Gashes in her flesh were so deep that bone was exposed.
Prosecutors argued that Jackson was not just negligent but also knew that his animals could endanger someone's life. They presented evidence that the dogs were involved in at least seven other altercations in the 18 months before the fatal attack.
In Littlerock, an Antelope Valley town of about 1,400 people, residents told the Los Angeles Times that they were often cornered by packs of dogs. Some have forbid their children from playing outside and have taken to carrying sticks, rocks and guns for protection.
Vincent Jackson said his brother Alex has accepted some responsibility in the case and wrote a letter to the victim's husband that was never sent. Still, Vincent Jackson thinks the murder charge is a knee-jerk reaction to the community's disdain for pit bulls.
"It feels like they're trying to make an example of him," Vincent Jackson said about his brother.
Defense attorney Al Kim echoed that sentiment, saying his client was taking the brunt of the rural area's growing frustration over abandoned animals.
"At some point, something needs to be done about these stray dogs, and I think an unfair amount of responsibility is being directed at my client," Kim said before the verdict was returned. "Does that mean he's a murderer? Absolutely not."
The National Canine Research Council estimates about 30 people are killed by dogs each year. Murder charges are rare because prosecutors must prove that the defendant knew the dogs were dangerous before the killing.
In trial testimony, several horseback riders said they had been chased or bitten by Alex Jackson's dogs. Neighbors said the dogs jumped over a fence and made it difficult to retrieve mail. A mail carrier testified that he was unable to make a delivery to Alex Jackson's residence because of a threatening dog that eventually chased his vehicle for half a mile.
Jackson testified that he was unaware of most of the incidents. He said he would have gotten rid of the dogs if he thought they were capable of killing someone.
At the time of his arrest, Jackson had eight dogs living at the home he shared with his mother. He had placed the four involved in the attack in his garage.
"I feel terrible about it. This isn't anything that I orchestrated or planned, that I wanted to have happen," he said.
Animal control officers testified that an inebriated Jackson told them shortly after the attack: "If you mess with me, you're coming into the lions' den."
The victim's husband, Ben Devitt, said he wanted a guilty verdict to set a precedent and make people aware that their dogs can create a dangerous situation.
Thumbs up to the jurors ...
LANCASTER, Calif. — A jury on Friday found a man guilty of murder after his pit bulls mauled a woman to death in a high desert town in California where residents said they carried rocks and guns for protection against packs of dogs.
Alex Donald Jackson, 31, was convicted of second-degree murder and could get 24 years to life in prison at his sentencing scheduled for Oct. 3.
Jackson owned four pit bulls that mauled 63-year-old Pamela Devitt during her morning walk in Littlerock on May 9, 2013.
Devitt died from blood loss after being bitten 200 times, the coroner's office said. Gashes in her flesh were so deep that bone was exposed.
Prosecutors argued that Jackson was not just negligent but also knew that his animals could endanger someone's life. They presented evidence that the dogs were involved in at least seven other altercations in the 18 months before the fatal attack.
In Littlerock, an Antelope Valley town of about 1,400 people, residents told the Los Angeles Times that they were often cornered by packs of dogs. Some have forbid their children from playing outside and have taken to carrying sticks, rocks and guns for protection.
Vincent Jackson said his brother Alex has accepted some responsibility in the case and wrote a letter to the victim's husband that was never sent. Still, Vincent Jackson thinks the murder charge is a knee-jerk reaction to the community's disdain for pit bulls.
"It feels like they're trying to make an example of him," Vincent Jackson said about his brother.
Defense attorney Al Kim echoed that sentiment, saying his client was taking the brunt of the rural area's growing frustration over abandoned animals.
"At some point, something needs to be done about these stray dogs, and I think an unfair amount of responsibility is being directed at my client," Kim said before the verdict was returned. "Does that mean he's a murderer? Absolutely not."
The National Canine Research Council estimates about 30 people are killed by dogs each year. Murder charges are rare because prosecutors must prove that the defendant knew the dogs were dangerous before the killing.
In trial testimony, several horseback riders said they had been chased or bitten by Alex Jackson's dogs. Neighbors said the dogs jumped over a fence and made it difficult to retrieve mail. A mail carrier testified that he was unable to make a delivery to Alex Jackson's residence because of a threatening dog that eventually chased his vehicle for half a mile.
Jackson testified that he was unaware of most of the incidents. He said he would have gotten rid of the dogs if he thought they were capable of killing someone.
At the time of his arrest, Jackson had eight dogs living at the home he shared with his mother. He had placed the four involved in the attack in his garage.
"I feel terrible about it. This isn't anything that I orchestrated or planned, that I wanted to have happen," he said.
Animal control officers testified that an inebriated Jackson told them shortly after the attack: "If you mess with me, you're coming into the lions' den."
The victim's husband, Ben Devitt, said he wanted a guilty verdict to set a precedent and make people aware that their dogs can create a dangerous situation.
"Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can be sometimes easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love." Fred Rogers
Replies
Many things to do.
Knots to be unraveled
'fore the darkness falls on you
It all depends on the truth.... most here can't handled the Truth :grin
according to media and others> if it has any traits that even resemble a True American Pit bull....than
its a pit bull....
In the eyes of the media/others there is no such thing as a "PIt Bull" Breed.... they decided that if it fits
in their Check off list... then **** it its a pit and if it bite someone than hell yes its a pit... because
Pits are the only maneating dogs around :blowkiss
GOOD.
indeed....
having been bitten twice by pits i'm no fan...
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
Are you sure they were Pits?...It is a common mistake to think it is a pit...but in reality it is ...a Yorkie or tea cup poodle....:rotflmao
Many things to do.
Knots to be unraveled
'fore the darkness falls on you
Police, Animal Control, Vet, Neighbors, Reporters, even dog owner's family members all ID dog involved in fatal attack as Pitbull.
But apologists insist "there is no such thing as a "PIt Bull" Breed".
a freaking expert on whats a true Pit bull... LOL... YOU couldn't even tell what a pit bull was!!!... but hey keep believing the hype that
all Pit bulls are group into one group of dogs...LOL... and the Owners in questions never ever did wrong by their dogs....
Most of you guys have agenda and down right hate anything that relates to a pit bull... Yet NONE of you have done your homework and
when we hit you with facts..... you slime away and wait till the next story breaks...
You are in the same group of the gun grabbers.... when you are put in your places or the stories turn out to be
lies... you crawl back under your rocks and wait.... :huh
We have already shown our finding/sites and un hype most of these stories.... but that doesn't matter... because
truth doesn't matter... Pit bulls in your minds are killers... yet here we are... again I will say this
PITS have been around longer than most other breeds!!!!!!! yet for some unknown reason they have waited till
now to come out and KILL everything around them...
But hey... keep on trying.... because just like guns... those of us who have knowledge and can think for ourselves
really do know the truth.... but please don't give up...because we hit you with facts and truth... :blowkiss
ok...
the dogs were what are generally referred to as pit bulls by description....
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
This article is atleast partially good news(women being mauled to dealth is not the good part), one of the solutions to the probem is to charge and prosecute the owners of these dogs(any friggin bred) as if they committed the crime themselves.
I just hope the dogs were destroyed in a painful manner.
Professional cleaning and restoration since 1999
CARPETS - UPHOLSTERY - TILE - GROUT - MARBLE - TERRAZZO
CLEAN - POLISH - SEAL - RESTORE - PROTECT
561-891-1236
www.steamcleanjupiter.com
destroying the dogs in a painful manner will do nothing...
destroying the owner in a painful manner will...
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
Destroying the dogs in a painful manner and making the owner watch would be painful?
I'd like to see what the owner looks like, I've got a pretty mean looking dude in my mind.
Professional cleaning and restoration since 1999
CARPETS - UPHOLSTERY - TILE - GROUT - MARBLE - TERRAZZO
CLEAN - POLISH - SEAL - RESTORE - PROTECT
561-891-1236
www.steamcleanjupiter.com
just average looking guy
That's not what I was expecting. Can't he use the dreamer act to get off on the charges?
Seriously, why did he have 8 dogs? Did he have any other charges prior? Was he warned about the dogs before?
Professional cleaning and restoration since 1999
CARPETS - UPHOLSTERY - TILE - GROUT - MARBLE - TERRAZZO
CLEAN - POLISH - SEAL - RESTORE - PROTECT
561-891-1236
www.steamcleanjupiter.com
Prosecutors argued that Jackson was not just negligent but also knew that his animals could endanger someone's life. They presented evidence that the dogs were involved in at least seven other altercations in the 18 months before the fatal attack.
He should have taken care of the problem earlier. Sucks to be the example but someone has to do it. If he wanted the dogs so bad, he should be responsible for their actions.
Professional cleaning and restoration since 1999
CARPETS - UPHOLSTERY - TILE - GROUT - MARBLE - TERRAZZO
CLEAN - POLISH - SEAL - RESTORE - PROTECT
561-891-1236
www.steamcleanjupiter.com
Hard to argue with that.
"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters."
That's sick. Humanely euthanize them.
"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters."
One of these reasons i stay armed 24/7, is from the threat of dangerous dogs in the Redlands, where i live, that are often seen running loose. (At least now you don't have to shoot to kill, since a new law i believe, is now gone into effect in Fla, for a person to fire a warning shot when you think your life is being threatened. Before, you had to shoot to kill when you felt your life was in jeopardy, and this was also the case even with dog attacks. Of course you could always say you just missed with a simple dog attack.)
When i was growing up in the 1950's in S. Fla there were no Pit Bulls, Rotweilers, or Presa Canario's in our area, but we did have a lot of German Shepard's, Dobermans, a few Chows and even a great Dane here and there. In the 50's there was No Lease Law, so many owners just let their dogs live loose on their property, often with out even a fence to contain them.
I was a paper boy from age 10 to 15 and i was attacked by many breeds of guard dogs. Shepard's, Dobermans, Chows, and even a Great Dane once. (In fact I was almost killed by two extremely vicious Dobermans that were once the palace guard dogs for a Latin American Presidential Palace, but that attack occurred while i was in a house as a guest, and the dogs broke the back door to get to me. "Luckily" these two male attack dogs were trained to kill, and only went for my neck, which they could not latch onto, as i took cover in a corner of the front Florida room and covered the my neck with my arms and hands. My hands were bit several times but not severely. When the adults of the house finally wrestled the beasts down, I was able to flee the house out their front door.
Often paper boys would quit because of a dog problem on a particular route and then the route needed to be filled. Then the station route manager would assign someone to it. You often had no choice but to take the new route if you wanted to keep working.
I lived only about a mile from the bay, so some of my routes were in very wealthy neighborhoods including waterfront homes on the bay. As one would expect these wealthy homeowners had the most dangerous dogs, and since there was no leash law these guard dogs were often let loose off their property to do their pooping. After being chased by two vicious Chows and one huge grand Dane that was sicced on me by an older teenager, i decided to fashion something to protect myself from attack. I bought a very sturdy three prong forged steel gig head (In fact i still have it) and mounted it on a 2.5 foot piece of a wood broom handle. I carried this device attached to my bike's handle bars with rubber bands. When i approached a house where i knew a large guard dog lived I would have the gig at the ready in the paper basket before i tossed the paper into their driveway. One day i was attacked by a large male German Shepard and i had to thrust the gig down its throat with force to keep it from latching onto my leg and pulling me off the bike. The gig became stuck in the dogs throat, but the momentum of the bike moving forward with a full load of papers was enough to drag the animal for about ten feet before the gig pulled loose. Never saw that dog again and was never attacked after i started to carry the "Dog Gig", as it did not take long for the owners of these dangerous dogs to realize that paper boys were not going to "take it anymore" LOL
You must be a ninja!
"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters."
Dogs hate cats. That's his problem right there. :grin
The back door of the house had to be tied shut from the dogs smashing into it repeatability over months time, until the force of their weight cracked the wood around the plate where the handle lock cylinder slides into; and as a result the door could not be locked securely; a rope then was used to tie the door handle to an eye bolt that was screwed into the wooden door frame on the inside of the house. On the day of the attack the rope broke that held the door shut, and the two dogs entered the house. I heard the screams from two adults in the kitchen as they tried to grab the dogs before they reached me. I was at the front of the house where i was playing chess with the my friend. I had just enough time to climb over a large reading chair and took cover in the corner in a stand up position with my face buried into the 90 degree wall crevice. (I did not crawl). I folded my arms around my neck with my hands overlapping very tightly on the back of my neck. My friend had picked the chair he was stilling on and blocked the most aggressive of the two dogs for a few moments, but Thor finally got around him. The dog then lunged at my neck and hit my hands several times before two adults and my friend managed to wrestle both dogs down, which gave me a chance to dash out the front door. I had thought out this strategy long before this event, as i was always fearful this might happen one day as i was a frequent visitor in this household and the dogs would go absolutely crazy in their back yard enclosure the whole time i was inside the house. These dogs were so dangerous in appearance and aggression that no mail or delivery person would come to the house as the dogs could see anyone approaching the front door and most people (Including me) thought their four foot fence was not high enough to prevent them from going over it. One day both dogs finally got over the fence and the family was forced to get rid of them.
The reason i have not identified the country where these dogs were used to defend a presidential palace is because that info would identify the original owners (Not my friend's family) that still reside in Miami. I still keep in touch with my early childhood friend, but we have not talked about that day for decades.
We don't need doggys to herd sheep, take down wild beasts , pry a badger out of its lair.
We need doggies to mow our lawns and take out the garbage.
Now you really got something if they want to be part of the family.
This core of JB's argument is spot on. It is hard to get through to it but it is true.
No matter the breed, if your dog hurts someone you should be held accountable.
Of course.
Just don't forget to kill the **** dog.
If your dog looks anything like this.
In the generic sense, it means the typical white-trash/ghetto dog
that we all know. So in the end, no one really GAF about what the
pit defenders think.