Murder victim's dead pet bird helped supply evidence that convicted suspect

SF GATE ^ | Wednesday, February 19, 2003 | (02-19) 08:24 PST DALLAS (AP) --

[vannrox]

Prosecutors say a pet cockatoo that was killed while trying to protect its owner from an attacker produced evidence crucial in convicting the man's murderer.

Kevin Butler's 18-inch white-crested cockatoo, named Bird, flew at the Daniel Torres during the Christmas Eve 2001 attack and pecked him in the head, drawing blood. Torres wiped the blood and then touched a light switch, leaving his DNA at the crime scene, authorities said.

[vannrox]

WOW this should be on the Court TV "Forensic Files" TV Show.

[shezza]

He had worked for Butler's pool company and had had a falling out with Butler, Torres said.

And so that justified murdering his boss??? I'll bet he had been fired for incompetance or failing to show up for work or embezzling or something like that. So he got angry and "got back" at his boss. What a society we live in!

[Ditter]

Its great to have our animal friends protect us. I don't have a bird but 2 out of my 4 Jack Russel Terriers would draw some DNA from any one who threatened to attack me. Not only that but I would know someone was sneaking up on me before they even got close.

[Sangamon Kid]

Is this a Monty Python skit?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

bird

[Jeff Chandler]

my 4 Jack Russel Terriers

On FR, they'e refered to as "Jack Russell Terrorists".

[doberville]

PRECISELY what I was wondering!!