Alert   1/29/09      February Court Watch - Partial

 

February has few cases, and all will be sent out in an alert. However, perhaps the most heart-rending is the Middlesex case below.

 

Please try to attend this trial. Let the prosecutor – the Commonwealth’s Attorney - know you will be there in support of the animals. Remind the prosecutor, even if you cannot attend, that you support enforcing the law, not just a courtesy curtsy to the law, but real enforcement.

 

 

 

2/2/09     Monday

11:00 a.m.

Defendant: Christopher Bristow

Middlesex County General District Court

73 Bowden Street; Saluda, VA 23149

Clerk: Dorothy Gail Fulcher

804-758-4312    fax: 804-758-4343   email: gfulcher@courts.state.va.us

Prosecutor: Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Hurd

804-758-4506     fax: 804-     email: JGoins@mhurdlaw.com

Charges: 1 count of DWI (class 1 misdemeanor)

1 count of operating ATV on highway (class 1 misdemeanor)

1 count of cruelty to animals (class 1 misdemeanor)

1 count of larceny of certain animals (class 5 felony)

 

On 10/13/08, Middlesex County sheriff deputies saw Christopher Bristow driving a 4-wheel ATV on Route 33 with an animal in his arms. They thought it was a dog, but it turned out to be a 50-pound miniature horse with head and leg injuries. Authorities believe Mr. Bristow stole the horse from a nearby miniature horse farm and dragged it behind his ATV until it could no longer stand. He is charged with DWI, driving his ATV on a highway, animal cruelty, and stealing an animal. Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Hurd advises there will be a trial on the misdemeanor charges (including the animal cruelty charge) on Monday, 2/2/09. There will also be a preliminary hearing at the same time on the felony charge (stealing the animal). Evidence will be presented and the Judge will decide if that part of the case should go to the Grand Jury.

action anticipated: trial