◼ Cockfighting charges dropped against Christie
A county prosecutor on Wednesday announced the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office would drop several charges related to allegations Ray Christie, a McKinleyville rancher, was raising roosters to be used for cockfighting.
Christie faced five misdemeanor charges for allegedly raising roosters for cockfighting after police raided his McKinleyville rooster breeding operation in December and seized more than 1,300 roosters, as well as dozens of knives and gaffs -- illegal implements used in cockfighting.
Christie still faces one misdemeanor charge alleging possession of a cockfighting implement....
...Following the trial, Deputy District Attorney Sherissa Edmark said she would prepare to retry the defendant. But Wednesday, Christie's attorney Kenneth Bareilles said he plans to discuss with his client whether another trial is the best option.
”I plan to advise Mr. Christie and encourage him to settle if possible,” Bareilles said. “It might be less expensive just to pay the fine. But sometimes you can't measure this stuff in dollars and cents.”...
But that's not the end of the story, as I understand it. Developing.
Showing posts with label Christie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christie. Show all posts
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Hung jury. Mistrial.
◼ No decision for jury in cockfighting trial
After deliberating for three days, jurors were unable to agree on a verdict for Ray Christie, a McKinleyville rooster breeder charged with breeding roosters for cockfighting and possessing cockfighting implements.
On Monday morning, the panel of 12 jurors notified Humboldt County Judge John Feeney they were unable to reach a verdict. Feeney then declared a mistrial.
According to one juror, in the final vote on the first five counts of breeding roosters for cockfighting, the jury was hung seven to five, with seven jurors in favor of his innocence.
In the last vote concerning the single charge of possessing a cockfighting implement, the jury was hung 11 to one, with one person in favor of Christie's innocence.
Not the end of it.
After deliberating for three days, jurors were unable to agree on a verdict for Ray Christie, a McKinleyville rooster breeder charged with breeding roosters for cockfighting and possessing cockfighting implements.
On Monday morning, the panel of 12 jurors notified Humboldt County Judge John Feeney they were unable to reach a verdict. Feeney then declared a mistrial.
According to one juror, in the final vote on the first five counts of breeding roosters for cockfighting, the jury was hung seven to five, with seven jurors in favor of his innocence.
In the last vote concerning the single charge of possessing a cockfighting implement, the jury was hung 11 to one, with one person in favor of Christie's innocence.
Not the end of it.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Rooster trial
◼ Trial begins for cockfighting suspect
A Humboldt County Sheriff's Office deputy who investigated properties belonging to McKinleyville rooster breeder Ray Christie, testified in court Thursday that Christie admitted to participating in the illegal sport of cockfighting in the past, but said he had not done so in decades.
Thursday was the first day of trial for Christie, who is charged with five misdemeanor counts of possession of cockfighting implements and one misdemeanor count of possessing a bird with the intent to use it in a fighting exhibition.
If convicted on all counts, Christie would face a maximum of six years in jail and a $30,000 fine....
...Christie's attorney, Kenneth Bareilles, questioned (Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Deputy Todd) Fulton about whether the circumstantial evidence presented demonstrates Christie was recently participating in cockfighting, or if it only shows he was simply interested in it.
Questioning Fulton about the cockfighting magazines found throughout Christie's properties, Bareilles asked whether the owner of such magazines could “be an enthusiast and not a cockfighter?”
Fulton replied that they could be an enthusiast. Deputy District Attorney Sherissa Edmark is prosecuting.
Who is taking care of all those roosters?
A Humboldt County Sheriff's Office deputy who investigated properties belonging to McKinleyville rooster breeder Ray Christie, testified in court Thursday that Christie admitted to participating in the illegal sport of cockfighting in the past, but said he had not done so in decades.
Thursday was the first day of trial for Christie, who is charged with five misdemeanor counts of possession of cockfighting implements and one misdemeanor count of possessing a bird with the intent to use it in a fighting exhibition.
If convicted on all counts, Christie would face a maximum of six years in jail and a $30,000 fine....
...Christie's attorney, Kenneth Bareilles, questioned (Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Deputy Todd) Fulton about whether the circumstantial evidence presented demonstrates Christie was recently participating in cockfighting, or if it only shows he was simply interested in it.
Questioning Fulton about the cockfighting magazines found throughout Christie's properties, Bareilles asked whether the owner of such magazines could “be an enthusiast and not a cockfighter?”
Fulton replied that they could be an enthusiast. Deputy District Attorney Sherissa Edmark is prosecuting.
Who is taking care of all those roosters?
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