Horse Abuse Case Postponed...for Another Charge

http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/article/20100410/NEWS01/4100301

The trial for a local woman charged with starving her horses has been postponed while she stands trial next week in Columbus on a charge of writing a bad check.

Robin Vess was scheduled to stand trial Tuesday on 42 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in Ottawa County Municipal Court. No new date has been set.

Instead, she will have a bench trial Thursday on one felony count of passing bad checks in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. She is charged with writing a check for $14,162 to The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital on June 15, 2008, despite knowing the bank would not honor the check, according to the October indictment.

It's amazing where society's priorities are. You starved horses to death? Oh, no big dea--OMG YOU PASSED A BAD CHECK?!

Vess' attorney in the Franklin County case, Dennis Evans of Columbus, was not available for comment. If convicted, Vess faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

If convicted on the animal cruelty charges, Vess faces up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine on each count.

So...

Bad check = 18 months in prison and $5,000 fine

One animal cruelty charge = 3 months and $750 fine

All 42 animal cruelty charges = 10.5 years in prison (LET'S GO FOR IT!) and $31,500. But you know she won't get all 42. I have yet to see someone get convicted for more than half the charges they're accused of (if I'm lucky).

Davis has said Vess was too depressed and did not have enough money to properly care for the horses.

This is why I'll never become an attorney. Being "depressed" is NOT an acceptable excuse for not taking care of your horses. If I was clinically depressed and starved my children, would I get away with it?? Lack of money isn't a good excuse either. You have over forty horses. SELL SOME. I know the economy is tough and all that, but at least pretend to make an effort.