Starved to Death: No Plea Deal in FL v. Abrams ; Justice for Ella
- by: concerned citizens of Florida
- recipient: Brevard County State Attorney's Office
Hunkered down on her side, Ella's beautiful head fell to her chest in quiet and hopeless despair, a huge black hole where her eye once viewed the world as only dogs can do...with unconditional love and devotion....instead now filled with maggots and roaches. Ella's frail white paw stuck out through the bars that were her prison and her agony, as if she were reaching for the bag of food that was only 5 feet away. The picture you see on the left is what a beautiful dog Ella once was. Now she is dead. She was found abandoned in a crate.
Thousands of angry and concerned animal lovers from across the globe signed the original petition for Ella, the 1-yr-old, white German Shepherd Dog whose owner, Christine Abrams, reportedly abandoned her in a locked crate for months where she suffered unspeakably, and then subsequently died. Now we need you to contact the State Attorney/Judge because many additional and disturbing facts have come to light:
Since mid-March, many additional facts have have been reported:
1) The State Attorney's Office reduced Abrams' charge from a felony to a misdemeanor;
2) According to vet records, before her abandonment, prior neglect of Ella resulted in the amputation of her back leg;
3) According to Brevard County Property Records as of 6/5/2008 there is no evidence that Abrams' house is in foreclosure;
4) Abrams is represented by a prominent W. Palm Beach attorney for her defense, and she plead not guilty;
5) According to Abrams' MySpace page (now defunct), she partied hearty during the time period that is alleged that Ella lay waiting.....dying in that crate.
Thus the concerned citizens of Brevard County, FL bring forth this new petition, asking that there be no negotiated plea deal in this case unless it is for maximum penalty allowable by law.
Abrams' next court appearance is scheduled for June 17, 2008. After digesting these new developments, if you agree that a plea deal is totally unacceptable and that the max punishment under law is warranted - in addition to signing this petition - please contact the following people:
Brevard County State Attorney, Norm Wolfinger, at the following email address: nwolfinger@sa18.state.fl.us (in addition, please cc: wholmes@sa18.state.fl.us and mraska@sa18.state.fl.us)
Please send individual letters to:
Norman Wolfinger and Wayne Holmes at:
Brevard County State Attorney's Office
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way - Bldg. D
Viera, FL 32940
Phone: (321) 617-7510
Also, please write the Judge on this case:
Honorable Judge Kelly J. McKibben
Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Justice Center
2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, Florida 32940-8006
Tel. (321) 637-5594
Please remember to treat the judge with the utmost respect. Please ask her to reject any negotiated plea deal that less then the maximum penalty allowable by law. She ultimately has the power to decide if a negotiated plea is allowed or not, and your letters should help her to understand the opinion of the public on this matter. Again, please ask her to respect the opinion of the people in the community.
Bottom line: Only with consistent, public outcry can we bring attention - and thus change - to weak animal abuse laws and lax enforcement. Thank you for your caring concern...
...In memory of Ella and for all animals who are currently suffering as she did.
http://www.local6.com/news/16363984/detail.html
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/orl-dogabuse2308may23,0,5986969.story
http://floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=A9&Date=20080522&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=805220802&Ref=PH&Profile=1086&Params=Itemnr=3
Norman Wolfinger, Wayne Holmes, & Michael Raska
State Attorney's Office
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way - Bldg. D
Viera, FL 32940
In the matter of State of Florida v. Christine Dawn Abrams:
We the undersigned,
Consider animal cruelty to be a serious offense that should not to be taken lightly;
Desire to be a voice for Ella;
Keep in mind she has no voice;
Aware of the importance of tourism to the Florida economy;
Affirm that there are many part-time Florida residents;
Believe that the opinions of part-time Florida residents should be considered in this matter;
Desire for all members of the community to be heard;
Fully believe that there is more than sufficient evidence in this case to substantiate the charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty and unlawful confinement of an animal;
Note with regret that the defendant is not charged with a felony;
Affirm that a trial by jury of one's peers is the ultimate expression of the community's will in matters of criminal justice;
Therefore we,
Remind the State Attorney's Office that they represent the People of the State of Florida;
Draw attention to the amount of public outcry in the community;
Emphasize the heinous nature of this crime;
Express our hope that the State Attorney's Office will take this case to trial;
Strongly condemn any plea deal that would be for less then the maximum penalty allowable by law;
Trust that the voices of the community will be heard.
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