[News] Crawford finally found guilty in kicking death of Yorkie, Gizmo
 

I don't know how many of you remember the story that resulted in a national outcry about Chad Crawford who was accused of killing the Yorkie Gizmo by kicking him like a football, but he has finally been found guilty.

Unfortunately, the jury deadlocked on the charge of intentional killing of an animal which would have put him in prison for 2-4 years. Instead he was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of aggravated cruelty to animals which carries a maximum sentence of 11 months and 29 days. He continued to deny any involvement for Gizmo's death and claimed that the dog may have been hit by a car. He will be sentenced next month.

Thanks in part to the death of Gizmo, the law has now changed and this crime is now considered to be a felony.

Man Found Guilty Of Cruelty In Dog's Kicking Death

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Nashville man has been found guilty of kicking a dog to death.

A jury found Chad Crawford guilty of aggravated animal cruelty for the kicking death of Gizmo, a 2-pound Yorkshire Terrier.

Crawford denied his involvement, stating that a car struck the dog.

The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of 11 months and 29 days.

Another man accused of holding the dog as if punting a football will be tried later.

"This is the largest weight off of my shoulders," Gizmo's owner Jelani Lewis said after the verdict was read.

Lewis said his biggest fear was that no one would be prosecuted in the case.

"My greatest fear was that he would just walk," Lewis said.

He said he couldn't understand why someone would commit this type of crime, plead not guilty and deny their involvement.

Lewis and another owner Jessica McKenzie also sued the defendants.

Assistant District Attorney General Roger Moore said he was satisfied that Crawford was found guilty.

The jury was deadlocked on a more serious felony charge.

Crawford's sentencing is scheduled for next month.

Although Crawford faced a misdemeanor, if the same crime happened now it would be a felony because the law was changed since Gizmo's death.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=7254723
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....WS03/710240445

I bet that scoundrel is lying his pants off! How can someone hurt a Yorkie? animals even? So cruel and cold hearted! I hope he gets what coming.:mad:

I think I'm going to be sick!
I had not ever seen that story before today and I wish I wouldnt have.
Its a shame it took something as tragic as this to change the law.
Oh, if only the punishment could fit the crime!

I would love to hold him down and kick him to death! I think anyone that hurts a defenseless dog doesn't deserve to live...:mad:

Am I being to easy on him?:rolleyes:

Here is a link for details on the original incident which happened in 2004 for those that do not remember. This story was also aired on CNN and other national news outlets.

Warning - This story is very disturbing.

http://www.nashvillescene.com/Storie...my/index.shtml

Oh that is just so sad. This is the first time that I have heard of this story. So sad. This person deserves more then what he got. Thank goodness that people who do this now will get a stiffer charge. This is just not right.

*watery eyes* im glad justice was served. but i guess one day, God will judge him when he meets his maker.

Atleast Gizmo's death resulted in stricter rules against animal cruelty. It's just so sad that he had to died to get the law changed.

:( :( :( That is unbelievable that someone could do that to a poor inocent dog. I hope they sue the pants off of that guy in a civil suit. At least he got some punishment but not near enough, I think. :mad:

How can anyone be so cruel to an animal? All they want are love and attention. Glad they are being punished! :mad: Don't know what I would do if someone hurt one of my dogs.

This person is absolutely disgusting.

I'm not very knowledgeable with US law, but it sounds like they were trying to push for a criminal sentence (?). I'm wondering if Gizmo's owner could sue him through civil court...the judge wouldn't be able to give jail time..but perhaps punitive damages would be awarded to the owners. Maybe that would teach him a lesson. :mad:

While I'm glad he was found guilty and sentenced, 11months? That's a joke...if anyone ever hurt my babies I would want them sentenced for life..I'm sure Gizmo's owners feel the same

This guy will prob. have to be in protective custody. If the other inmates find out why he is in jail, they will deliver their own justice. Too bad his sentence wasn't longer, but it is a victory in the sense that the laws were changed.

:mad: i think if you don't want to care for, love and treat your yorkie like your family, why even get one? i hope he has many dreadfull days in jail for the murder of that innocent yorkie. now that will make me happy.;)

how despictable ... he deserves lots of prison time ....
I do not understand the jury ... what part did they not understand???

as someone else said, he will meet his maker one day and be truly judged ....

I remember the story well.
I am very dissapointed in the decision. His butt belongs behind bars.
Once again people do not take animal cruelty serious enough.

How can a person kick a dog like a football and the jury say
there's not enough evidence to prove it intentional. Kicking
the dog in the first place is intentional! I think he got away
with murder thanks to the jury.

I have heard tell that people in prison for animal cruelty generally get treated really badly by the rest of the prison population, much like people who are rapists or child molestors. I'm sure the creep will get what is coming to him one way or other.

I really wish that all states would make animal cruelty a felony. Especially when one considers how often it is linked to later or concurrent spousal abuse, child abuse, and other types of abusive behavior, there is absolutely no reason why it should be taken so lightly in so many cases.

The reason why the jury could not make a decision on the charge of intentional killing of an animal, was due to the way the law is written.

At the time of Gizmo's death (2004) animals were considered a possession and their value had to be estimated in order to determine if the crime was a felony or misdemeanor. It wasn't a question of whether or not he was guilty, everyone believed he was guilty of the charge. However, in order to convict him of this charge, they had to agree on the monetary value of Gizmo which they could not do. Possible values discussed were between $1500 and priceless but they could not agree on the exact monetary value.

IMO, this requirement was ridiculous because you cannot put a value on a life. Since the jury was deadlocked, I wonder if they can retry him on the charge of intentional killing of an animal.

The judge in this case is being heavily pressured by the public to give him the maximum sentence but he could get away with probation only. He will be sentenced on Nov. 30 I think. If he spends any time in jail, he will most likely be put in solitary confinement as he will never make it out of prison alive. There have already been several death threats against him.

But at least Gizmo did not die in vain. This case finally got people mad enough to push for change and helped make aggravated cruelty to an animal a felony instead of a misdemeanor in TN. This case also facilitated the creation of a bill to create an animal abuse registry which would list the name of anybody convicted of animal abuse and would be put on the internet for the public to view.

Thanks for the explanation, it makes me sick that anyone would hurt an animal, let alone a 2-lb little yorkie!!

hey all - I haven't been here in a while (job seeking and interviewing) but that is THE BEST NEWS !

I remember way back when that happened and I'm so glad he was prosecuted ....even thought he got off easy - it does send a message. The law should go after intentional animal abuse just like they do with humans - murder is murder

Rest in Peace Gizmo - you were never forgotten

I remember this very well. I'm betting that when he is sentenced, he will be sentenced to probation only. The jerk!!!!:mad:

There's a civil suit scheduled as well--I believe it's to take place in the spring of next year.

This is just terrible. I remember this story very, very clearly as it really upset me so much the first time when I read it :cry:

I am SICK at my stomach that this sorry excuse for a human being didn't get thrown in the slammer for longer (he should of!!!!! :mad:) but at least now the law has been changed. Just wish it would have been that way BEFORE they sentenced him :(

R.I.P. Little Gizmo.. :cry:

i am seriously crying right now. I don't understand how people can be so heartless and cruel. 11 months is nothing..he should be in jail for the rest of his life.

I've never heard of this story until now and just finished reading the article. Ugh, I am so sad and disgusted at the same time. This has to be one of the worst ways for a dog to go. :( The article even stated that they were bragging that they killed him!!!! :mad: That man deserves every single amount of prison time, plus more, that he was sentenced to. I hope the other 2 involved will be charged as well. :mad: :mad: :mad: :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown

I glad that he is
 

in jail. People like him should be lock up and never released. There is no excuse for this crime.

OH poor gizmo that is just awful I hate reading stories like that... I hope all 3 of the guys get what they deserve

I agree the way the laws are written sucks.
But hopefully with things like this..that will change and people will take notice..I hope.
It always amazes me how the public goes crazy when articles and things like this are heard.. yet they seem to forget about it.

We have had cases here.. and I get so mad when they end up with a slap on he wrist and all the people that were outraged in the beginning let it go.

We need to get the laws changed.. they are not..a possessions like a car or .. something. Heck in this town if you damage city property even on accident like a sign or a street light you end up getting more of a fine than animal abuse. It's crazy and it makes me :mad:

Terrible People !!!
 

I read the story about Gizmo and it made me so sad I cried. I hope the guy gets all he deserves and the laws should be tougher on these people.
Maybe he could also do community service cleaning up horse maneur for months???
I went home and kissed my Yorkie and hope everyone else did too.
:)

i cant even respond because it really wouldnt be a good thing..
son of a bitch