Ronnie Williams told a judge Thursday afternoon he is eager to put his legal trouble behind him, his pre-trial hearing was postponed until April 7.
Williams, who has been charged with 42 counts of felony animal cruelty in connection with the deaths of 37 greyhounds in the kennel at Ebro Greyhound Park and the neglect of five survivors, told a judge at the Washington County Courthouse on Thursday he was interested in a plea bargain so he could go home to his 2-year-old and help his ailing parents.
He said the charges have devastated his family financially and the difficulty will not end when he is released from jail.
Williams is a career greyhound trainer and has been for 17 years, but the Department of Pari-Mutuel Wagering revoked his Florida license in connection with their investigation. At 36, 37 years old I'm going to have to find a new line of work, he said Thursday.
The judge informed Williams the court was not involved with the plea bargain process.
Williams attorney, Floyd Griffith, however, said the defense would be willing to waive speedy trial rights because of the need to gather evidence and testimony.
Williams was arrested Oct. 29 when the dogs were discovered by state investigators, who were looking into a complaint against the trainer.
We still have a good bit of work to to get ready to go to trial, Griffith said.
We, the signer's of this Petition hereby request that the Washington County State Attorney's Office and Florida State's Attorney, do not agree to any plea bargain and pursue the MAXIMUM SENTENCE UNDER LAW. We also ask that there be no reduction in charges, reduction in sentence, reduction in time serviced to Ronnie Williams, charged with 42 counts of felony animal abuse regarding the death of 37 innocent and severe neglect of the 5 remaining innocent, voiceless greyhounds at the Erbo Greyhound Park. Regardless of the effect that his family is suffering, it is due to his own deliberate actions and abuse that he was arrested and is being charged to be held accountable for these heinous crimes. Ronnie Williams did not show the innocent, voiceless greyhounds any mercy and is not due same from court.
Thank you for your professional, legal expertise and experience in the consideration of our request.
