Fwd: HOU, TX - Man is sentenced to 102 years for Dog Fighting!!!! ( post co mments)

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Yeaahhhhh. Finally a real sentence. I hope Vick's judge is watching, and read the Judges comments about all the letters and calls he had received. Never doubt how important these actions are again!!!!! http://www.dothaneagle.com/gulfcoasteast/dea/local_news.apx.-content-articles-DEA-2007-11-14-0009.html Sentence in dog fighting related case tops 100 years Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007 - 06:09 AM Johnny Ray Lewis is handcuffed by a Houston County Sheriffs deputy after being sentenced to more

than one hundred years in prison for dog fighting related charges. Jay Hare / jhare Article Tools Email a Friend Reader Reaction RSS digg it Printer Friendly Sphere IT Save This Page By Matt Elofson E-mail The federal prison sentence NFL star Michael Vick could face for dog-fighting charges pales in comparison to the sentence handed down Tuesday to a Cottonwood man for his

recent convictions on dog fighting-related charges. Circuit Court Judge Ed Jackson sentenced 42-year-old Johnny Ray Lewis to 102 years in prison — six years in prison for each of the 17 felony counts a jury found him guilty of in September. Jurors convicted Lewis of 17 felony counts of possessing dogs with the intent to train them for fighting. He faced a possible sentence of a year and a day up to 10 years per charge. Jackson said he sentenced Lewis to what he called a “mid-range” sentence.“It is a type of case that is sensitive to the public,” Jackson said as he announced the sentence. Houston County Assistant District Attorney Butch Binford said his office received e-mails from across the country after Lewis was convicted on Sept. 27, from people with interest in the case. “They were very concerned or upset, and they just thought it was extremely cruel the way these animals were treated,” Binford said.

”They hoped Judge Jackson would sentence the defendant to a lengthy prison term. People just have very strong emotions about animals who are treated inhumanly, that strikes a nerve with a lot of people.” Dog fighting hit headlines recently after Vick, a former star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty to his involvement in a dog fighting conspiracy. He could face up to five years in a federal prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 10. Thirty eight pit bull dogs lost their lives as a result of separate investigations into activity at Lewis’ Cottonwood home. He was arrested in August 2005 after police seized 17 of his pit bull dogs along with more than a dozen syringes, bottles of medication, thick heavy chains and a dog fighting video. Binford argued during the trial that Lewis had a previous history with dog fighting, including previous charges in 1995. Sheriff’s deputies raided his home then and seized 21 pit bull

dogs. Those charges were dismissed by a judge after an issue came up with the warrant in the case. Those dogs were later euthanized. Binford said Lewis would likely serve at least 34 years of his sentence, since ordinarily people serve at least a third of their prison terms before being released. Jackson ordered Lewis to pay $34,000 in fines. Dothan Police Chief John Powell told the judge at the hearing Lewis owed the City of Dothan more than $16,500 in restitution for the cost to euthanize his dogs at the city’s animal shelter. Jackson did not make a ruling on restitution. Derek Yarbrough, Lewis’ lawyer, told the court his client planned to the appeal the case. Jackson set an appeal bond of $85,000. Binford argued against Lewis’ release from custody on an appeal bond. “I think he said on the witness stand he still has dogs at his residence,” Binford said. Reader Reaction: Post your comment. Click this link to post your comment Posted November 14, 2007 @ 07:10 PM by k6614 Finally!!!! A voice for those that cannot speak for themselves. Way to go Judge! If we could only get you on the Michael Vick case, we'd really be making progress. Thank you so much for doing the right thing. And for those of you that keep comparing this or equating this with children, rape and other monstrosities, there are hoardes of people just like you. What you do is a good thing, please direct your voices accordingly. There aren't too many protecting the animals. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing" --Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

http://www.chooseveg.com/meet-your-meat.asp"There is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to other animals as well as humans, it is all a sham." -- Anna Sewell

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