Man Sentenced (12 yrs) for Tossing Dog From Balcony

AP ^

[Dallas]

NEW YORK --

A man who threw his girlfriend's dog off her 23rd-floor balcony was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison for animal cruelty and other charges related to stalking the woman.

John Jefferson, 43, pleaded guilty Dec. 5 to robbery, burglary, stalking, criminal contempt and animal cruelty. The judge said two of the 12 years were for the dog, Ribsy.

"I've had pets all my life," Justice James Yates said. "I was just as sickened as anyone else when I read the stories."

The judge also ordered five years of parole supervision for Jefferson and signed an order of protection that directs him to stay away from ex-girlfriend Eugenia Miller for the next 17 years.

Jefferson tossed the 16-year-old black and white terrier-poodle mix to its death on May 26 during an argument with Miller. Ribsy landed in the concrete plaza below and died instantly.

Jefferson also barricaded himself inside the apartment and threatened Miller with a knife, police said at the time.

"I am sorry," Jefferson said in court Thursday. "I was totally messed up, emotionally disturbed. I just lost it."

Jefferson pleaded guilty to burglary in connection with his forcible entry into the apartment, and his plea to the robbery charge was for a May 22 knifepoint holdup. The stalking charge arose from his harassment of Miller earlier.

Jefferson's lawyer, Russell Paisley, said his client's actions were those of someone under the influence of drugs.

[TLBSHOW]

bttt

[red-dawg]

Jefferson tossed the 16-year-old black and white terrier-poodle mix to its death ..

Was Jack Nicholson in the neighborhood?

[Once-Ler]

This jerk was off his rockers in love/hate with his girlfiend.
He sounds like he has no control of himself and is better off the street.

His girlfriend is lucky she is alive.
It is unfortunate that it takes something like this to get the Law to do something. I wonder if she had a gun...would she be facing charges for shooting him after he killed spot?

[AmericaUnited]

He should have said he excerised his "choice" and "aborted" the dog. Instant hero.

[sinkspur]

I wish people would quit posting these animal abuse threads.

If I ever win the lottery, it's just another name I've added to my list of people who've got to assume room temperature.

[Paul Atreides]

Is it just me, or whenever stuff like this happens, is it always a poodle dog involved? I'm not making fun, but I remember that guy who threw the woman's dog onto the freeway. It seems as if it was a poodle, as well.

[red-dawg]

That depends on the location. If it was in New York or New Jersey, she would be up on criminal charges for owning a gun and the maniac would be walking the street.

[DonQ]

Although his crime was extremely cruel, twelve years is longer than the sentences that are handed out for brutally beating a human.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

Jefferson tossed the 16-year-old black and white terrier-poodle mix to its death

Any sane person would've put this animal out of its misery by age 12. It was probably crapping itself and bleeding all over the carpet.

People just don't know when its time.

The guy saved the lady several hundred dollars in vet bills that would've incurred as she tried to keep the animal alive for another 15 years.

[College Repub]

It's alot easier to do that than pick up and throw a doberman somewhere

[red-dawg]

I think it was a Bichon Frise but I could be wrong.

[Senator Pardek]

That's a poodle.

[MigrantOkie]

"Jefferson tossed the 16-year-old black and white terrier-poodle mix"

Oh hell come on guys. Look at that breed mix. You know d@mn well you be tempted to do the same thing. Especially in the middle of an argument when the yappy little mutt would be all over your ankles. (not that he couldn't use some anger management of course)

[red-dawg]

Any sane person would've put this animal out of its misery by age 12.

and how old are you?

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

He should have tried this defense:

The Cutest Dog


Paul got off the elevator on the 40th floor and nervously knocked on his blind date's door. She opened it and was as beautiful and charming as everyone had said.

"I'll be ready in a few minutes," she said. "Why don't you play with Rollo while you're waiting?" He does wonderful tricks. He rolls over, shakes hands, sits up and if you make a hoop with your arms, he'll jump through."

The dog followed Paul onto the balcony and started rolling over. Paul made a hoop with his arms and Rollo jumped through -- and over the balcony railing. Just then Paul's date walked out.

"Isn't Rollo the cutest, happiest dog you've ever seen?"

"To tell the the truth," he replied, "he seemed a little depressed to me."

[Lizard_King]

i concur. this headline is extremely poorly phrased. typical AP.

[Paul Atreides]

There are smaller dogs than dobermans.

[LurkerNoMore!]

Is not.

[inflorida]

"I am sorry," Jefferson said in court Thursday. "I was totally messed up, emotionally disturbed. I just lost it."

Ahhh...another example of a poor guy who just had a bad day...I hope he rots in prison contemplating his "emotionally disturbed day".

[inflorida]

Any sane person would've put this animal out of its misery by age 12. It was probably crapping itself and bleeding all over the carpet.

People just don't know when its time.

The guy saved the lady several hundred dollars in vet bills that would've incurred as she tried to keep the animal alive for another 15 years.

Huh?? Many dogs can live happy lives up to 18-20 years old as long as they have been taken care of.
Did you forget to take your meds today?