[News] Crawford finally found guilty in kicking death of Yorkie, Gizmo - YorkieTalk.com Forums

drawlins27 · 10-24-2007, 11:47 AM

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

LittleDaisyDoo · 10-24-2007, 12:09 PM

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.

hartygirl · 10-24-2007, 12:14 PM

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!

Jeri Cunningham · 10-24-2007, 01:21 PM

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...

Am I being to easy on him?

drawlins27 · 10-24-2007, 01:36 PM

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

Sharonandtink · 10-24-2007, 02:37 PM

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.

dani23d · 10-24-2007, 03:00 PM

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

Yorkiekids · 10-24-2007, 03:06 PM

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.

Rudys Mom · 10-24-2007, 06:00 PM

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.

wileycoyote · 10-24-2007, 08:58 PM

How can anyone be so cruel to an animal? All they want are love and attention. Glad they are being punished!

Don't know what I would do if someone hurt one of my dogs.

Akhong · 10-24-2007, 09:05 PM

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.

Rae Rae · 10-24-2007, 09:09 PM

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

zoeybear · 10-25-2007, 11:56 AM

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.

angelgyrl · 10-25-2007, 12:16 PM

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.

Keno · 10-25-2007, 12:23 PM

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 ....

10-24-2007, 11:47 AM	#1
drawlins27 Mommy's Lil' Miracle Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mufreesboro, TN Posts: 1,028	[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 LOVE my little Furbutts!

10-24-2007, 12:09 PM	#2
LittleDaisyDoo Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 87	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. __________________ Daisy's Mommy

10-24-2007, 01:21 PM	#4
Jeri Cunningham Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hercules,CA Posts: 2,057 Blog Entries: 1	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... Am I being to easy on him? __________________ Mandy & Krissy & Teddy & Chelsey & Kayla Non-Yorkie: Rusty & Biewers: Darla & Spanky The Little Rascals

10-24-2007, 01:36 PM	#5
drawlins27 Mommy's Lil' Miracle Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mufreesboro, TN Posts: 1,028	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 __________________ I LOVE my little Furbutts!

10-24-2007, 02:37 PM	#6
Sharonandtink Proud Alaskan Grandma! Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 1,174	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. __________________ Sharon Paul RIP:Tinkerbell- Sept 1, 2004-Apr 23, 2008 Delilah Please Strive To Be A Positive Poster!!!

10-24-2007, 12:14 PM	#3
hartygirl megan - g Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,324	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!

10-24-2007, 03:00 PM	#7
dani23d YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 560	watery eyes im glad justice was served. but i guess one day, God will judge him when he meets his maker.

10-24-2007, 03:06 PM	#8
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	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. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

10-24-2007, 06:00 PM	#9
Rudys Mom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 4,327	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. __________________ Rudy, Zoey & Buster's mom (Dawn) Rest In Peace my precious Gracie girl & Lucky buddie Dogster:http://www.dogster.com/dogs/382659 & http://www.dogster.com/dogs/497315

10-24-2007, 08:58 PM	#10
wileycoyote Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 366	How can anyone be so cruel to an animal? All they want are love and attention. Glad they are being punished! Don't know what I would do if someone hurt one of my dogs. __________________ Ozzie and Selby's Mom

10-24-2007, 09:05 PM	#11
Akhong Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 175	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. __________________ Tobi's mom

10-24-2007, 09:09 PM	#12
Rae Rae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,823	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 __________________ Owned by Rocky and Bella

10-25-2007, 11:56 AM	#13
zoeybear Misssing Baby Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Posts: 4,186	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. __________________ We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. -M. Acklam

10-25-2007, 12:16 PM	#14
angelgyrl Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 36	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.

10-25-2007, 12:23 PM	#15
Keno Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: sunny CA Posts: 789	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 ....