FROM: HOLLEY
CARNRIGHT
DATE: FEBRUARY
10, 2015
RE: PRESS RELEASE – MATTHEW MILLER
ULSTER COUNTY JURY CONVICTS
KERHONKSON MAN FOR EXECUTING DOG
On February 6, 2015 an Ulster
County trial jury convicted 31 year old Matthew Miller of Baker Road in
Kerhonkson of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals for killing a 9 year old dog. In March of 2014 members of the Ulster County
SPCA went to Miller’s residence to investigate reports that dogs had been shot
at the residence. The SPCA investigators
observed blood and recently turned earth in the snow covered premises. When questioned Miller told the investigators
that he had shot a stray dog that had wandered onto his property and was badly
injured in a fight with another dog, claiming he shot the stray dog to put it
out of its misery. However, when the investigators exhumed the dog they found
that it had not been injured nor suffered any type of distress. A necropsy showed
that the dog had been shot at least once through the ear canal. During the
investigation the officers learned that the dog was, in fact, not a stray but a
pet, Ivan, who had been temporarily entrusted to Miller’s care from his
longtime friend Lauren Kosonen.
Ivan had been rescued at the age of
about 6 months after he was found tied up and left in the snow without water or
food at an abandoned premises. A teenager
committed to rescuing abandoned and distressed animals, Lauren Kosonen, heard
about the plight of the 6 month old puppy and set out to rescue, adopt and care
for him. Miller knew what Ivan meant to
Lauren, having seen her relationship and interaction with the dog and other
animals over many years.
During the trial, after the
prosecution rested its case, the defense called Brian Padusnak, a friend of
both Miller and Ms. Kosonen, who admitted that the dog was not a stray,
and identified the dog as Ivan, but told the jury that Ivan had been attacked
by a stray dog and was badly injured.
Through cross examination Assistant District Attorney Nneji was able to
point out a number of inconsistencies with that story which, also, was belied
by the medical testimony of the veterinarian.
Miller did not take the stand.
At the conclusion of the 3 day
trial the jury deliberated for about 2 hours and returned a verdict of guilty
on the sole count of the indictment which charged Miller with Aggravated
Cruelty to Animals, a felony, which carries a maximum of 2 years incarceration
under NYS Agriculture and Markets Law.
The case was prosecuted by Sr.
Assistant District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji.
Miller was represented by attorney Russell Schindler. The defendant is
scheduled to be sentenced at 9:00 AM April 3, 2015 by Judge Donald A. Williams,
Ulster County Court judge.
