Lucy the cat died the day after Easter. According to a local veterinarian, the cause of death was blunt trauma to her head and face.
Police say LaPierre�s neighbor, Robert L. Burrell, is responsible for Lucy�s death. Burrell isn�t talking.
The part-time SPCA employee was standing outside of a nearby business April 15 when she saw a dog chase a black and white cat into a shed of a nearby home. She told police that she saw a man, later identified as Robert Burrell, walk toward the shed and instruct the dog to "get the cat."
The woman walked over and identified herself as an SPCA employee and asked Burrell if he needed help getting the cat out of the shed. Burrell turned down her offer, then walked into the shed. That�s when the woman heard loud banging noises coming from inside the shed.
The woman questioned Burrell about the condition of the cat. He told her that the cat was behind his shed. When she asked if the cat was dead, Burrell responded, "I hope so," according to the affidavit.
The woman found Lucy. The cat had very shallow breathing and injuries to her head and facial area. She drove the injured feline to the Conchester Animal Hospital, where she died a few days later.
A veterinarian at the hospital told Smith that he had treated the black and white cat brought in by the SPCA worker. He examined the cat and determined that she died as a result of blunt trauma to her head and face. Police say that that Lucy died as a result of injuries inflicted by Burrell.
Burrell, 45, of the unit block of Woodside Place, declined to comment on the case.
Police charged him with cruelty to animals and he was held for trial at a preliminary hearing before District Justice David Murphy May 28. Burrell is free on unsecured bail. Case Updates| Posted on Sep 13, 2004 - 12:39AM | A Burrell found innocent of charges that he killed a cat that wandered onto his property.
Robert Burrell, 45, of Aston, testified during his non-jury trial that the cat was killed by his German shepherd after walking into his yard.
"All the circumstances show is that he may have killed the cat _ not that he did kill the cat," Judge Joseph Cronin said in announcing his decision. | Source: align="right" style="text-align: right; padding-bottom: 5px;">Back to Top| Posted on Jun 13, 2003 - 12:36AM | For anyone who has a desire to express their opinion to District Justice David Murphy, his information is:
David J. Murphy, Esquire
Upper Chichester Township, Wards 3 & 4
Aston Township, Borough of Chester Heights
Riddle Valley Industrial Park
1 New Road
Aston, Pennsylvania 19014
Phone: 610-558-3520
Fax: 610-558-3528 |
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