Hearing delayed for woman accused of starving dog to death.
The court hearing for Christine Abrams, the central Florida woman accused of starving her dog Ella to death, has been rescheduled from this Tuesday to June 27. The delay apparently was due to the Abrams’ attorney, Andrew Stine of West Palm Beach, asking that some evidence be barred from the case, as police did not have permission to break into Abrams’ vacated house.
Abrams and Ella
Abrams had left Ella behind, locked in her crate without food and water, after she moved out, saying her new roommate did not want pets. Neighbors, concerned about a foul odor coming from the home about two months after Abrams left, looked in the windows and saw the dead German shepherd, then called police.
Animal rights group plan to continue with a protest scheduled for 8 am, Tuesday, in front of the Brevard County Courthouse in Viera. They are outraged that Abrams is being charged only with two misdemeanors, rather than felony animal cruelty. Prosecutors have said state laws don’t consider depriving an animal of food and water a felony offense.
Keep reading for an email I received today from Holly, of Fight Against Cruelty, about the rally and the group’s position on why prosecutors should proceed with felony cruelty charges.
This from Holly G:
There will still be a rally starting at 8am at the Brevard County Courthouse. The hearing for the case of the State of Florida vs. Christine Dawn Abrams on June 17th has been canceled but the Rally will still go on. Citizens of Brevard County and throughout the State of Florida are outraged about the case. Many feel that Brevard County is not taking this case seriously and does not properly enforce the Animal Cruelty Statues of Florida. It is time for the citizens to stand up and demand prosecution according to the law.
Since March 12, 2008, when Ella was found dead in a crate with no food or water and only 3 legs, citizens have asked the State Attorney's Office (SAO) for strong prosecution. The State's response was to drop the charges of felony animal cruelty to misdemeanor animal cruelty. Their reason: the felony animal cruelty laws are unclear. However, using the same exact state laws, Alachua County prosecutor Geoffery Fleck has managed to obtain felony animal cruelty convictions in similar situations, including cases where the dogs were still alive. Additionally, briefs previously filed by the ALDF have provided case law, showing that cases involving starvation could be felonies-not just misdemeanors. Based on all this, people feel it is time to start prosecuting these types of crimes more seriously.
Again, there will be a large crowd of people with signs will be demonstrating at the Viera Courthouse at 8am on Tuesday June 17th. Please contact Holly if you have any other questions at fightagainstcruelty@yahoo.com or 321-208-5098.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
Thanks for the update, Diane....this is a real outrage and we all need to get behind this push for a very harsh sentence for this person...we will all be watching this case...we appreciate your following this along with us.
Posted by: TJF | June 16, 2008 8:54 PM
Hurry she goes to court June 27, 2008
Re: Christine Abrams who killed her dog Ella by leaving her locked in a crate to starve to death.
State of Florida vs. Christine Dawn Abrams
Case No. 05-2008-CF-02034
The State Attorney's Office & Prosecutor is where the protest emails can & should go.
E mailto: LHOOPER@sa18.state.fl.us
Your messages are for: State Attorney Norman Wolfinger & Prosecutor Wayne Holmes
Protest letters & emails to the judge are unethical- judges are suppose to be unbiased and neutral.
Hurry she goes to court June 27, 2008
Posted by: Maggie Rosinia | June 20, 2008 8:02 AM
she to stay in jail!!!
no water or food !!!
Posted by: peggy brown | June 23, 2008 12:10 AM