Judge also orders mental exam
By Matt Gryta
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Published:
May 16, 2011, 12:03 PM
Adam Shevins was ordered Monday to spend the coming weekend in jail and submit to a mental health assessment for causing the death of his girlfriend's dog 15 months ago by kicking it.
Buffalo City Judge Debra L. Givens ordered Shevins, 29, to serve the brief jail term on his Feb. 17 plea to a reduced charge of attempted aggravated animal cruelty in the death of the 5-year-old pug named Dylan. Shevins admitted kicking the dog after it urinated Feb. 15, 2010, in its owner's Claremont Avenue apartment.
After an investigation by the SPCA Serving Erie County, Shevins, of West Ferry Street, was charged with a felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. SPCA Officer Lindsey Styborski, who came to court for the sentencing, said the dog died because of what she called "a vicious stomp" inflicted by Shevins.
Shevins could have received a one-year local jail term or three years on probation and a fine of up to $1,000 on his misdemeanor plea.
Shevins, who came to court with his parents and his girlfriend, did not speak.
Defense attorney Thomas J. Eoannou said he agreed with the judge's comment that the incident seemed an "aberration" in Shevins' behavior. Prosecutor Rachel E. Pilkington said the plea offer was made because of Shevins' otherwise clean record.
The judge ordered Shevins to spend five days in Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden, but court officials said that with time off for good behavior, he will be jailed only from Friday evening until Sunday.
mgryta@buffnews.com
1 comment:
He should have to do community service at an animal shelter and three years probation and pay the $1000 fine! And his girlfriend and family should be ashamed of him!
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