Virginia man Gary Edward Thompson, 46, facing animal cruelty charge found not guilty by reason of insanity

VIRGINIA -- A Vinton man charged with animal cruelty after his pet German Shepherd was found dead has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Gary Edward Thompson, 46, killed his beloved dog after his doctors altered his regular medications, Roanoke County Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Leach said.

The military veteran pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in Roanoke County Circuit Court this week. Prosecutors did not challenge his plea.

“Quite frankly, there were some significant issues,” Leach said. “His thinking was bizarre.”

Richard Cooter, a clinical psychologist and director of the forensic psychology program at George Washington University, completed Thompson’s competency evaluation and reiterated his findings in court Monday. Prosecutors did not refute the evaluation.

Thompson was seeking medical help at the Salem VA Medical Center for underlying mental health problems. But the erratic behavior that led him to kill his dog was the result of changes in his medication, according to Cooter’s evaluation, Leach said.

Thompson’s competency evaluation is sealed in court filings, and Leach would not elaborate on Thompson’s mental health problems. Defense attorney David Bowers declined to comment for this story.

Officers arrested Thompson on April 25 when they came upon the dog during a well-being check at Thompson’s home in the 600 block of South Maple Street in Vinton.

The 4- or 5-year-old dog was dead, but it appeared to have been well cared for before it was injured, Vinton Police Chief Tom Foster said at the time.

Officers declined to elaborate on the state of the animal.

“The dog had suffered trauma that was obvious to the responding officers,” Foster said in an email.

Police charged Thompson with felony animal cruelty. He faced up to 12 months in jail, one to five years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.

In court this week, Thompson was “polite, respectful and remorseful,” Leach said. Thompson loved that dog like a child and agonized over his actions, he said.

Leach said he’s grateful the situation wasn’t worse.

“I’m relieved that people weren’t injured,” he said.

Thompson was released to the custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, where he will be evaluated for up to 45 days. Then he will return to court and Judge David Carson will determine whether he should be institutionalized or released to live on his own or with nearby family.

(Herald Courier - Aug 19, 2016)

Earlier:

• Virginia: Dead dog on Vinton lawn leads to Gary Thompson, 46, arrest