But Judge Christopher Patterson denied a motion to dismiss 42 counts of felony animal cruelty against Ronald “Ronnie” Williams on Monday.
Thirty-seven greyhounds were dead when an investigator with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation discovered them at Ebro on Oct. 29, 2010. Another five dogs still were alive among the decaying remains of the dead.
Three of the surviving animals had duct tape wrapped around their necks so tightly they were gasping for air when they were discovered, officials said. There was also duct tape wrapped around the neck of one of the dead dogs.
Deputy Public Defender Floyd Griffith filed a motion to dismiss the charges. In the motion, Griffith argued that, in the case of the animals with necks not wrapped in duct tape, whatever crime that occurred was only a misdemeanor because it was an act of omission rather than commission.
As for the dogs with the tape around their necks, Floyd wrote there is no evidence Williams was responsible.
If Williams had shot the dogs, he would be guilty of felony animal cruelty because he would have acted intentionally.
To deprive an animal of food and water until they die is an INTENTIONAL ACT.
In the state’s response to the motion, Assistant State Attorney Erin Oliver wrote there was evidence Williams applied the duct tape.
Williams admitted to being custodian of the animals and was in “exclusive [sic] possession” of the kennel.
Even if the evidence is only circumstantial, it should be sufficient to withstand the motion to dismiss, she argued.
“If the state’s evidence is all circumstantial, whether it excludes all reasonable hypotheses of innocence may only be decided at trial, after all the evidence has been presented,” she wrote.
“I do find that there are material and disputed facts that do exist … and the court is required by law to deny your motion to dismiss, Mr. Williams, at this time,” Patterson said.
Denied, Floyd Griffith!!!!!
Patterson also ordered a subpoena for Williams to obtain records from the veterinarians who examined the animals.
Earlier:
- Florida: Ronnie Williams Could Be Linked To More Greyhound Deaths
- Florida: Cops Stunned After Ronnie Williams Charged With Starving Dozens of Dogs
- Florida: The greyhounds Ronnie Williams failed to kill get lots of love, care
- Florida: Animal abuser/killer/Greyhound trainer Ronnie Williams loses license, fined $170,000