UPDATE ON AUGUST 25TH COURT APPEARANCE OF KEVIN SCHNEIDER IN CT: Arriving at court this morning, in Danielson, CT, Schneider was confronted with a ghost. Talca, with her entire family, was waiting for him as he went in. Talca may have sensed his presence, because she sought attention from everyone there, and shook nervously the entire time. She's back up to her full weight though, and she is absolutely beautiful.

When finally called in court, Schneider appeared with his new Connecticut lawyer. They had spent a long time beforehand, trying to work out a deal with the state's attorney. The state's attorney indicated that she wanted Schneider to serve 60 days, just like in MA, in order for him to be allowed to plead guilty. Schneider refused the offer, so the next step is another pre-trial, on October 7, at 2PM.

So, Schneider will be off to serve his Massachusetts sentence on Wednesday, August 27th and we'll see if we can get him a little more time in CT, on October 7th.

UPDATE ON AUGUST 21ST COURT APPEARANCE OF KEVIN SCHNEIDER IN MA:  The following is an update on the court proceedings, as told by Michael McCann, greyhound supporter and advocate. 

Kevin Schneider came to court prepared for trial yesterday, with a lawyer, and three neighbors, who would have testified that they had seem him walking his two Greyhounds. When he entered the courtroom, he was confronted with the reality of his situation. A dozen witnesses, who were to testify against him. Among them were the Connecticut Animal Control Officers who took in Talca after she had been abandoned there, and nursed her back to health: nothing but groceries were needed. There was the doctor who tried and failed to save Sari's life, after she had been abandoned under a bush in Providence, RI. There was the woman who had seen him drop Sari in the hospital parking lot, and the woman who so hoped to adopt her if she recovered. There was the adoption group leader, to whom he had admitted his crimes, and another neighbor who had seen him kicking the dogs. There were the police officers who had arrested him, after he failed to appear in court, and the people who had written letters and showed up at every one of his dozens of court appearances.

It was before 9AM when Schneider took his seat in court and a half hour later, the judge appeared on the bench, there were some "issues" that had to be resolved. He told the lawyers to work it out, and went back to his chambers. At 11, Schneider was still sitting there in his seat at the table in front of the bench, sweating and staring into the distance. After a conference with the judge, the lawyers went in and out of the courtroom, trying to work something out. Several times Schneider was taken to an adjoining room for conferences. The lawyers went into the judge's chambers for awhile, and came back out, waving some kind of document. The judge returned, and addressed himself to the defendant:

The judge told Schneider that it was his duty to tell him that he was entitled to a trial, and that six jurors were to be seated, and that he had the right not to say anything, but make the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prove it's case against him. He asked if he understood, and Schneider nodded his head and said yes. He then asked if he was going to waive those rights. Schneider said yes.

It was then that the judge asked Schneider if he was to plead guilty to the charges, Schneider nodded his head. The judge asked him again, and Schneider said yes, then closed his eyes.

Judge Flynn then sentenced Schneider to 18 months in the county house of correction all but 60 days suspended, and 20 months probation. He will serve 60 days of that sentence but if he fails to meet any of his probation requirements he will serve the full sentence. He is also to submit to a psychiatric examination, and DNA sampling. He is also ordered not to own any companion animals for the duration of his sentence.

Looking at Schneider sweating and twitching at the witness table, one could almost feel sorry for him. That is, until we remember the crimes which he committed. He not only is a convicted felon, which will follow him for the rest of his life, his convictions on other charges in another state are now part of his record here: he is a level two sexual abuser.

Thank you, all of you, who wrote letters, and made the effort to show the authorities importance of this case. They would have dropped it, had it not been for you.

Michael McCann

Help Needed at the Kennel: Greyhound Friends is currenly looking for someone to work part-time at the kennel This is a paid position.  For more information, please call Louise at the kennel - 508-435-5969, or email to ghfriend (a) greyhound.org.

Items Needed at the Kennel: If you are thinking of donating an item to Greyhound Friends, at this time we are in particular need of Blankets, Comforters, Dog Food - Iams, Eukanuba, ProPlan, etc.

For Your Calendar: Our Annual Fall Open House is scheduled for September 20 & 21, 12:00-5:00 both days.  Details are on the events page, with more information to come.

*** 

THE CONTINUING STORY OF TALCA AND SARI - Upcoming Court Dates  

THE CASE IN CONNECTICUT:  October 7th, 2:00 p.m. at Danielson, CT Superior Court, for pre-trial.   

We've had a number of requests for the addresses for officials in which to continue to write letters in support of Talca and Sari, and to encourage the full prosecution of Kevin Schneider.  These addresses are listed below.

Connecticut:
The person who makes sure the case is tried is:
Patricia M. Froehlich
State's Attorney
Suite 208
120 School Street
Danielson, CT  06239

The person who put together the case for Trooper Resnick is:
Eva Longo
Animal Control Officer
NECCOG
125 Putnam Pike
Dayville, CT  06241
 

To read the full story on Talca and Sari, click here.