Jury finds guard guilty in dog death

[Guest guest]

How incredibly tragic and sad. I hope he does MORE time after his stupid appeal. What a waste of tax dollars and a precious dog. http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/032008/03192008/364766 Jury finds guard guilty in dog death Mathias A. Acholi sentenced to 90 days in jail for killing "Socks," a 7-year-old boxer, in a case that has received national attention. Date published: 3/19/2008 BY KEITH EPPS A Fredericksburg jury recommended last night that a security guard who killed a family pet serve 90 days in jail. Mathias A. Acholi, 41, of Maryland killed a 7-year-old boxer named "Socks" on Oct. 28, 2006, at Wellington Woods. The case received national attention, especially from animal rights activists. Acholi was convicted in Fredericksburg Circuit Court yesterday of cruelty to animals, reckless handling of a firearm and discharging a firearm in public, all Class 1 misdemeanors. Acholi testified

yesterday that the dog was charging at him and he feared for his safety. But a prosecution witness again testified that Socks, a popular dog in the complex, was urinating about 25 feet away when Acholi shot the dog for no apparent reason. A trail of blood leading from a rose bush to the dog owner's apartment clearly hurt Acholi's case. The bush is a good distance from where Acholi said the dog was when she was shot. Acholi had been ordered to serve four months in jail last year after a judge found him guilty of three misdemeanors in Fredericksburg General District Court. But Acholi's attorney, John O. Iweanoge, appealed the convictions, setting the stage for yesterday's day-long trial in circuit court. According to the evidence, Socks belonged to Barbara Krech, who testified that she and the dog had lived in Wellington Woods about seven years at the time of the shooting. Abraham Bustamante, Krech's friend, took the dog out to a nearby rose bush about 9 that night so the dog could relieve itself. Krech said Socks had followed the same routine for years. On this night, Krech heard two shots, followed by Bustamante running into her home shouting, "The Socks. The Socks. The security shoot the Socks!" The dog was shot in the mouth and in the side. She was put to sleep a short time later at a veterinarian's office. Sara Hilliard, who lived in the apartment above Krech, was again the key prosecution witness yesterday. She said the dog was urinating when she was shot and made no aggressive move. Acholi said Hilliard's story was untrue. He said the dog was growling throughout the incident and was coming at him aggressively. He said he called to Bustamante to control the dog, which was not on a leash, but the dog kept coming. "I was afraid," he said. "I felt I was in danger." According to Acholi, Krech and Officer Joe Young also told untruths on the witness stand yesterday. Acholi insisted that he never talked to Young, contrary to what the officer said. Acholi claimed that he'd been carrying a gun on the job for years and had never fired a shot before. Commonwealth's Attorney Charles Sharp said Acholi made a "tragic" decision and "we're lucky nobody else, nothing else, was killed." Iweanoge attacked Hillard's credibility and said there was clearly reasonable doubt. "It defies logic that an experienced armed security guard would shoot a dog for no reason." Judge John W. Scott Jr. agreed to let Acholi, who now works as a pizza-delivery driver, remain free on bond pending formal sentencing on May 2. However, Acholi had to post another $2,500 bond and give up his passport. He is forbidden to leave the state. Keith Epps: 540/374-5404Email: kepps http://pets.Fortheanimals7/join