Brandon Maldonado, 26, pleads guilty to pouring boiling water on dog

NEW YORK -- Brandon Maldonado, the Batavia man accused of pouring boiling water on a dog pleads guilty to animal cruelty today in court.

But here’s the catch: Maldonado did not admit to scalding the dog with hot water and leaving life-long scars.

The dog, named “Rocky” suffered second and third degree burns to its shoulders and ribs.

 

What this means is that the 26-year old recognizes that a jury would likely take the information in the case and find him guilty.

Maldonado’s plea is entered under what is called an Alford basis.

NOTE: An Alford plea (also called a Kennedy plea in West Virginia, an Alford guilty plea, and the Alford doctrine) in United States law is a guilty plea in criminal court, whereby a defendant in a criminal case does not admit to the criminal act and asserts innocence.

He and girlfriend Melissa Broadbent, 36, were arrested in August. Maldonado was on parole at the time of his arrest.

Broadbent is also accused of telling her children to lie to police about the incident in order to prevent Maldonado from going to jail.

In Hell, Broadbent will win Mother of the Year

The dog, named Rocky, has since recovered but will always be scarred.

Maldonado will be sentenced in two weeks.

(WBTA - Sep 22, 2015)

Earlier:

• Couple accused of scalding dog with hot water, resulting in serious injuries