Andrew David Thomspon, killer of a dozen Italian greyhounds, gets probation
Andrew David Thompson, the former Michigan State University medical student who admitted killing about a dozen Italian greyhound puppies, was sentenced yesterday to probation.
Thompson, who admitted to beating, kicking and throwing the puppies against walls when he became angry with them — and buying new ones to replace those who died — will serve five years of probation.
At a hearing in Ingham County Circuit Court, Judge Paula Manderfield rejected prosecutors’ request for a prison sentence of two to four years, the Lansing State Journal reported.
“I am disgusted and embarrassed and have so much remorse for what happened,” Thompson told Manderfield during the hearing, which his mother, father and other supporters attended. “I’m shocked I even let it get to this point.”
Thompson pleaded guilty in April to three counts of animal killing. Two of the charges were for killing two different dogs while he lived in East Lansing. The third charge was for killing nine dogs when he lived in Meridian Township.
Stacia Buchanan, Thompson’s attorney, argued that his offense was a ”property crime” and that he had no prior criminal record. She said he has mental health issues for which he hasn’t receive treatment.
Under the sentence, he will.
The judge ordered Thompson to undergo mental health treatment, perform 400 hours of community service and not own or care for any animals while on probation.
Technically, Manderfield sentenced him to a year in jail, but she gave him credit for the 107 days he has served and suspended the remainder of the jail term pending successful completion of probation .
Manderfield said she didn’t believe a prison sentence would serve anybody’s interests. Probation, she told Thompson, would allow her to “always hold the hammer of prison over your head… I’m not convinced society would be served spending thousands of dollars to incarcerate you for two to four years,” she said.
(Photo: Paul Henderson / Lansing State Journal)
Posted by jwoestendiek June 14th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: abuse, andrew david thompson, andrew thompson, animal cruelty, animals, cruelty to animals, dozen, five years, former, italian greyhounds, judge paula manderfield, killed, lansing, medical, mental health, michigan, michigan state university, pets, probation, problems, puppies, school, sentence, sentenced, student, torture, treatment
Comments
Comment from Jay
Time June 14, 2012 at 10:19 am
pathetic Judge, pathetic decision. I know, “they’re only animals…”
Comment from robert schlosser
Time June 14, 2012 at 11:30 am
I can understand what the judge is saying but this man is one very sick person and needs to really pay more for this disgusting crime. Were those greyhound’s lives not worth anything just because they were dogs?
Comment from Judith Pannebaker
Time June 14, 2012 at 5:30 pm
This “sentence” is a travesty and I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of Thompson yet. Does anyone actually think this man is actually sorry for his repeated acts of senseless cruelty? I, for one, don’t!!! Unbelievable …
Comment from jeff white
Time June 14, 2012 at 9:12 pm
People who are “very sick” need treatment. This sentence will compel Thompson to get that treatment, under the court’s supervision. Sentencing is about more than simple revenge. Putting people in prison for mental illness is what our ancestors used to do in the 18th century. We’re supposed to be more civilized today.
Comment from Lynda
Time June 16, 2012 at 9:57 am
history has shown us a person that abuses and murders animals often becomes a killer of humans..
Comment from Catherine Tucker
Time June 17, 2012 at 12:24 pm
DO NOT promote Judge Paula Manderfield. I am scared to know that she set such a dangerous person free into society. This is sick and frightening!!!!!!
Comment from Catherine Tucker
Time June 17, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Also, to Jeff White:
I agree that for someone as sick as Thompson is, prison might not be the right answer. That is why our justice system also sentences people to mental institutions. To help them and at the same time protect all of us from them. Thompson belongs in a mental institution.
Comment from Helena
Time June 17, 2012 at 9:37 pm
This man is a medical student. That is scared. He should not be able to pursue I career in medicine he will hurt someone. He is not in his right mind and should never be givena medical list!
Comment from Jeff
Time October 22, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Andrew David Thompson is Evil..NOT SICK..I do not see how such a sub human could even cry oh wait he is crying for himself ..You make me sick ..cry big man
Comment from KateH
Time June 14, 2012 at 9:21 am
Paula Manderfield is going to look pretty stupid when he kills more animals in the future – or god forbid, a child. Society would be better served getting this crazy man out of the community and behind bars.