2013 mock trial case
TRANSCRIPT
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Hon. Diane O. Leasure (Ret.)
Co-Chair
ShannonMcClellan
Co-Chair
University of MD, School of Nursing
Moges Abebe
Attorney at Law
Jane Anders
Teacher Consultant
Sara H. Arthur
B&F Liaison
Gilbert Austin
Educational Research & Evaluation
Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera
Court of Appeals
William A. BealeAttorney at Law
Hon. Pamila J. Brown
BOG Liaison
District Court, Howard County
Alan S. Carmel
Attorney at Law
Sarah Dawn Cline
Attorney at Law
Adam Sean Cohen
Attorney at Law
Delegate Kathleen M. Dumais
District 15
Suzanne K. FaraceAttorney at Law
Barry L. Gogel
Attorney at Law
Michael I. Gordon
Attorney at Law
Ellery M. Rick Miller, Jr.
Executive Director, CLREP
Gary Christopher Norman
Attorney at Law
Rex Shepard
BCPS Social Studies Coordinator
Annabelle Sher
Assistant Director, MD D-BEDVictor A. Sulin
Attorney at Law
Kathleen J. P. Tabor
Attorney at Law
Hon. Jamey Weitzman
District Court, Baltimore City
Charles S. Winner
Attorney at Law
Maryland Bar Center, 4th Floor, 520 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201Tel: 410-706-5360 Fax: 410-706-5576
www.clrep.org
November 9, 2012
Dear Students & Coaches:
Welcome to the 2012-2013 Maryland State Bar Association Statewide High School Mock
Trial Competition. This is the 30th year for Mock Trialover 52,000 students have
participated in this competition since its inception. We are pleased that you are joining in this
exciting opportunity.
This years case explores the topic of animal cruelty and neglect. Recently, there have been
horrific accounts of people abusing animals, including someone who slashed horses, sadlysetting a dog on fire, and of people mutilating or abusing animals. In other instances, well-
intentioned people try and rescue animals but because of their own limitations, cannot
adequately care for them. With the economic downturn even more cases are surfacing of
people who simply cant afford to care for their animals. If we educate about the importanceof caring for animals and the penalties that potentially occur when one does not take propercare then perhaps we can have a preventative and protective role. We hope that you find this
case to be challenging, interesting and informative.
Our four primary objectives for the MSBA Mock Trial competition are:To further understanding and appreciation of the rule of law, court procedures, and the
legal system;
To increase proficiency in basic life skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and criticalthinking;
To promote better communication and cooperation between the school system, the legal
profession, and the community at large;
To heighten enthusiasm for academic studies as well as career consciousness for law-
related professions.
Mock Trial works best when everyone competes fairly and honestly. Your goal should be
learning, rather than winning. Mock Trial provides opportunities to learn through casepreparation with your attorney advisor, teacher coach, and teammates, as well as during each
of the competitions.
Please remember that Mock Trial parallels the real world in terms of proceedings,
interpretations, and decisions by the Bench. Decisions will not always go your way and you
will not always prevail. BUTyou will succeed if you learn from both wins and losses!
We ask that you read carefully through the rules, guidelines and score sheet included in thiscasebook. We wish you a very successful year and a rewarding learning experience.
Best Regards,
Shannon McClellan Hon. Diane O. Leasure Ellery M. Rick Miller, Jr.Shannon McClellan, Esq. Hon. Diane O. Leasure Ellery M. Rick Miller, Jr.
Co-Chair, CLREP Co-Chair, CLREP Executive Director, CLREP
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TABLEOFCONTENTSOrganizationalRules 3
PreparingforCompetition:HelpfulHints 5
Trial
Procedures
6
Simplified RulesofEvidence&Procedure 9
CourtroomDiagram 15
StipulatedFactPattern 16
WitnessesfortheProsecution
AnimalControlOfficer,LynneGraham 18
Neighbor,AlexVogel 20
Veterinarian,Dr.TyJohnson 22
WitnessesfortheDefense
Defendant,Danny
Harding
24
Veterinarian,Dr.TaylorMartin 26
USPSMailCarrier,SamShelton 28
Evidence&Exhibits
311Transcript 30
AnimalControlComplaint&InvestigationForm 31
MontgomeryCountySPCAMedicalEvaluations 33
PhysicalCareScale Haircoat&Nails 41
Maryland
Criminal
Law
Code
42
Traceyv.Solesky 44
FactsonAnimalCruelty 56
Appendices
GuidelinesforAttorneyAdvisors 57
HelpfulHintsforCompetitionJudges 58
SampleScoreSheet 59
Calendar InsideCover
StateChampions BackCover
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20122013
MSBAHIGHSCHOOLMOCKTRIALCOMPETITION
PARTI:ORGANIZATIONALRULES
1. Forfeitsareprohibited.Asaregisteredteam,youagreetoattendallscheduledcompetitions.Ifateamdoesnot
have
an
adequate
number
of
students
(i.e.
due
to
illness,
athletics,
or
other
conflicts),
it
is
still
expected
to
attendandparticipateinthecompetition.Intheseinstances,ateamwillborrowstudentsfromthe
opposingteam.Whilethisistreatedasanautomaticwinfortheopposition,bothteamsstillgainthepractice
experience. Further,itmaintainstheintegrityofthecompetitionandisrespectfuloftheCourt,Presiding
Judge,attorneysandtheotherteamthathaspreparedandtraveledtothecompetition.Ifthisoccurs,coaches
shouldmakeeveryefforttonotifythelocalcoordinatorANDtheothercoachinadvanceofthecompetition.
Whenanopposingteamdoesnothaveenoughstudentstoassisttheotherteam,studentsmaydepicttwoor
moreoftheroles(i.e.theymaydepict2witnessesorplaythepartof2attorneys).
2. Studentattorneysareexpectedtokeeptheirpresentationslimitedtospecifictimeguidelines.Itisthepresidingjudgessolediscretionastohoworifthetimeguidelineswillbeimplementedduringeach
competition.TeamsshouldNOTobjectiftheyperceiveaviolationoftheseguidelines.
Openingstatements/closingarguments5minuteseach; Directexamination7minutesperwitness; VoirDire,ifnecessary2minutesperexpertwitness(inadditiontothetimepermittedfordirectand
crossexamination)
Crossexamination5minutesperwitness; ReDirectandReCrossExamination3minutesandamaximumof3questionsperwitness.
3. LocalcompetitionsmustconsistofenoughmatchesthateachparticipatinghighschoolpresentsbothsidesoftheMockTrialcaseatleastonce.
4. Ateammustbecomprisedofnofewerthaneight(8)butamaximumoftwelve(12)studentmembersfromthesamehighschool,withtheexceptionofhighschoolswithaMarylandStateDepartmentofEducation
interscholasticathleticsdesignationofClass2AorClass1A,whichmaycombinewithanyotherschoolsinthe
LEAin
those
classifications
to
field
ateam.
Two
alternate
students
are
permitted
during
the
local
competitiononly.Ifateamadvancesbeyondthelocalcompetition,anofficialrostermustbesubmittednot
exceeding12students.
5. Ateammayuseitsmemberstoplaydifferentrolesindifferentcompetitions.(SeePartII:HintsonPreparingfortheCompetition).Foranysinglecompetition,allteamsaretoconsistofthree(3)attorneysandthree(3)
witnesses,foratotalofsix(6)differentstudents.Foranysinglecompetition,astudentmaydepictonerole
onlyofeitherwitnessORattorney.(Note:InCircuits1and2,whereteamstypicallyparticipateintwo
competitionspereveningonceasprosecutionandonceasdefensestudentsmaychangerolesforthe
secondcompetition.)
6. Anyhighschoolwhichfieldsmorethanoneteam(TeamAandTeamB,forexample)mayNEVERallow,underanycircumstances, studentsfromTeamAtocompeteforTeamBorviceversa.Ifahighschoolfieldstwoor
moreteams,eachteammusthaveadifferentteachercoachandadifferentattorneycoachthantheother
team.Additionally,ifahighschoolhasmultipleteams,thenthoseteamsMUSTcompeteagainstoneanother
inlocal(circuit)competition.
7. A.)AreasofcompetitioncoincidewiththeeightJudicialCircuitsofMaryland.Eachcircuitmusthaveaminimumoffour(4)teams.However,inordertoprovidetheopportunityforasmanyteamstoparticipateas
possible,ifacircuithastwo(2)orthree(3)teams,theymaycompeteinaRoundRobintodeterminewho
willrepresentthecircuitinthecircuitplayoff.Therunnerupteamfromanothercircuitwouldbeselectedto
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competebasedupontheirwinningrecordandaveragepointsscoredduringlocalcompetitionrounds.This
teamwouldcompetewiththecircuitrepresentativeinaplayoffpriortotheRegionalCompetition.Whena
circuithasonlyoneregisteredteam,CLREPmaydesignateanothercircuitinwhichthisteammaycompete.
B.)OR,underthediscretionofacircuitcoordinatorandCLREP,ifacircuitsochooses,itmaycombinewiththe
unofficialcircuittoincreasethenumberofopportunitiestocompete.Inthiscase,acircuitopeningarises
andwill
be
filled
by
the
following
method.
To
create
the
most
equity,
asequential
rotation
of
circuits
will
occur.Ifwilling,thesecondplaceteamfromthespecifiedcircuitwilladvancetotheregionalcompetitionsto
filltheopening.Ifthatteamisunabletoadvance,theopportunitywillmovetothenextcircuit,andsoon,
untiltheopeningisfilled.Intheeventthatallcircuitsareofficiallycomprisedofaminimumoffourteams,the
designatedcircuitwillremainthenextinlinetoadvanceinfutureyears.
20122013 Circuit1 20162017 Circuit5
20132014 Circuit2 20172018 Circuit6
20142015 Circuit3 20182019 Circuit7
20152016 Circuit4 20192020 Circuit8
8. EachcompetingcircuitmustdeclareoneteamasCircuitChampionbyholdinglocalcompetitionsbasedontheofficialMockTrialGuideandrules.ThatrepresentativewillcompeteagainstanotherCircuitChampionina
singleeliminationcompetitiononApril10or11,2013.
9. ThedatesfortheRegionals,theSemiFinals,andtheFinalswillbesetandnoticegiventoallknownparticipatinghighschoolsbyNovember13,2012.Changeswillonlyoccurduetoconflictsinjudicialschedules.
10. DistrictCourtjudges,CircuitCourtjudges,andattorneysmaypresideandrenderdecisionsforallmatches.Ifpossible,ajudgefromtheCourtofAppealsorCourtofSpecialAppealswillpresideandrenderadecisionin
theFinals.
11. AnyteamthatisdeclaredaRegionalRepresentativemustagreetoparticipateonthedatessetfortheremainderofthecompetition.Failuretodosowillresultintheireliminationfromthecompetitionandthe
firstrunnerupinthatcircuitwillthenbetheRegionalRepresentativeunderthestipulations.
12.Winnersinanysingleroundshouldbepreparedtoswitchsidesinthecaseforthenextround.CircuitCoordinatorswillprepareandinformteamsofthelocalcircuitschedule.
13. CLREPencouragesTeacherCoachesofcompetingteamstoexchangeinformationregardingthenamesandgenderoftheirwitnessesatleast1daypriortoanygivenround.Theteachercoachforthe
plaintiff/prosecutionshouldassumeresponsibilityforinformingthedefenseteachercoach.Aphysical
identificationofallteammembersmustbemadeinthecourtroomimmediatelyprecedingthetrial.
14. MembersofaschoolteamenteredinthecompetitionincludingTeacherCoaches,backupwitnesses,attorneys,andothersdirectlyassociatedwiththeteamspreparationareNOTtoattendtheenactmentsof
ANYpossiblefutureopponentinthecontest.
15. Allteamsaretoworkwiththeirattorneycoachinpreparingtheircases.ItissuggestedthattheymeetwiththeirAttorneyAdvisoratleasttwicepriortothebeginningofthecompetition.Forsomesuggestionsregarding
theAttorneyAdvisorsroleinhelpingateamprepareforthetournament,seePARTII:HintsonPreparingfor
MockTrialandAppendixA.
16. THEREISNOAPPEALTOAJUDGESDECISIONINACASE.CLREPretainstherighttodeclareamistrialwhentherehasbeengrosstransgressionoftheorganizationalrulesand/oregregiousattempttounderminethe
intentandintegrityoftheMockTrialCompetition.Uponthecoachesreviewof,andsignatureonthescore
sheet,THEOUTCOMEISFINAL.
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17. ThereshallbeNOcoachingofanykindduringtheenactmentofamocktrial:i.e.studentattorneysmaynotcoachtheirwitnessesduringtheotherteamscrossexamination;teacherandattorneycoachesmaynotcoach
teammembersduringanypartofthecompetition;membersoftheaudience,includingmembersoftheteam
whoarenotparticipatingthatparticularday,maynotcoachteammemberswhoarecompeting;andteam
membersmusthavetheircellphonesandallotherelectronicdevicesturnedoffduringcompetitionastexting
maybe
construed
as
coaching.
Teacher
and
Attorney
Coaches
MAY
NOT
sit
directly
behind
their
team
during
competitionasanymovementsorconversationsmaybeconstruedascoaching.
18. Itisspecificallyprohibitedbeforeandduringtrialtonotifythejudgeofstudentsages,grades,schoolnameorlengthoftimetheteamhascompeted.
19. Thestudentattorneywhodirectlyexaminesawitnessistheonlyattorneywhomayraiseobjectionswhenthatsamewitnessisbeingcrossexamined.Thestudentattorneywhoraisesobjectionsondirectexamination
mustbethesameattorneywhothencrossexaminesthatsamewitness.Thissameprincipleappliesifa
studentattorneycallsforabenchconference;i.e.,itmustbetheattorneycurrentlyaddressingtheCourt.The
studentattorneywhohandlestheopeningstatementmaynotperformtheclosingargument.
20. JudgingandscoringattheRegional,SemiFinalandStatewideFinalCompetitionsaredistinctfromjudgingandscoring
in
some
local
competitions.
As
in
areal
trial,
the
judge
will
preside,
hear
objections
and
motions,
instructcounsel,anddeterminewhichteamprevailedbasedonthemeritsofthelaw.Twoattorneyswill
independentlyscoreteamperformanceatthetrial,usingthescoresheetfromtheofficialMockTrialGuide.At
theconclusionofthetrialandwhileinchambers,thejudgewillawardthetiepointwithoutinformingthe
attorneyscorers.TheTiePointwillonlybeaddedintothefinalscoreonlyinthecaseofatie.Theattorneys
willmeetandworkoutanydifferencesinscoringsothatthetwoattorneyspresentonescoresheettothe
judge,andeventually,thetwoteams.Thejudgeretainstherighttooverruleanyscoreonthescoresheet.
Bothteamsshallreceiveacopyofthisscoresheet,signedbythejudge.Teamswillnothaveaccesstothe
original,independentscoresheetsoftheattorneys.
21. Evidentiarymaterialsthathavebeenmodifiedforuseduringtrial(e.g.,enlarged),mustbemadeavailableduringthetrialfortheopposingteamsuse.Duringwitnessidentificationexchanges,pleasealerttheother
teamif
you
plan
to
use
modified
materials.
PARTII:HINTSONPREPARINGFORAMOCKTRIALCOMPETITION
ThefollowingtipsweredevelopedbylongtimeMockTrialCoaches.
1. Everystudent,teacherandattorneyparticipatinginateamspreparationshouldreadtheentiresetofmaterials(caseandguide)anddiscusstheinformation,proceduresandrulesusedinthemocktrial
competition.Students:youareultimatelyresponsibleforallofthisonceCourtisinsession.
2. Examineanddiscussthefactsofthecase,witnesstestimonyandthepointsforeachside.Recordkeyinformationasdiscussionproceedssothatitcanbereferredtointhefuture.
3. Witnesscredibilityisveryimportanttoateamspresentationofthecase.Witnesses:moveintoyourrolesandattempttothinkasthepersonyouareportraying.Readoveryouraffidavitsmanytimesandhaveother
membersofyourteamaskyouquestionsaboutthefactsuntilyouknowthem.
4. Studentattorneys:youshouldhaveprimaryresponsibilityfordecidingwhatpossiblequestionsshouldbeaskedofeachwitnessondirectandcrossexamination.Questionsforeachwitnessshouldbewrittendown
and/orrecorded.Writeoutkeypointsforyouropeningstatementsandclosingargumentsbeforetrial;then,
incorporateadditionalpointsthataroseduringthecompetitionforinclusioninyourclosingargumentto
highlighttheimportantdevelopmentsthatoccurredduringthetrial.Concise,summary,pertinentstatements
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whichreflectthetrialthatthejudgejustheardarethemostcompellingandeffective.Bepreparedfor
interruptionsbyjudgeswholiketoquestionyou,especiallyduringclosingarguments.
5. Thebestteamsgenerallyhavestudentattorneyspreparetheirownquestions,withtheTeacherandAttorneyCoachesgivingtheteamcontinualfeedbackandassistance.Basedonthesepracticesessions,student
attorneysshouldcontinuerevisingquestionsandwitnessesshouldcontinuestudyingtheiraffidavits.
6. Asyouapproachyourfirstroundofcompetition,youshouldconductatleastonecompletetrialasadressrehearsal.Allformalitiesshouldbefollowedandnotesshouldbetakenbyeveryone.Evaluatetheteams
presentationtogether.TrytoschedulethissessionwhenyourAttorneyCoachcanattend.
7. Someofthemostimportantskillsforteammemberstolearnare: Decidingwhichpointswillproveyoursideofthecaseanddevelopingthestrategyforprovingthose
points.
Statingclearlywhatyouintendtoproveinanopeningstatementandthenarguingeffectivelyinyourclosingthatthefactsandevidencepresentedhaveprovenyourcase.
Followingtheformalityofcourt;e.g.,standingupwhenthejudgeentersorwheneveryouaddresstheBench,andappropriatelyaddressingthejudgeasYourHonor,etcetera.
Phrasingdirectexaminationquestionsthatarenotleading(carefullyreviewtherulesofevidenceandwatchforthistypeofquestioninginpracticesessions).
Refrainingfromaskingsomanyquestionsoncrossexaminationthatwellmadepointsarelost.Whenawitnesshasbeencontradictedorotherwisediscredited,learntolimitadditionalquestions,astheyoften
lessentheimpactofpreviouslymadepoints.
Thinkingquicklyonyourfeetwhenawitnessgivesyouanunexpectedanswer,anattorneyasksunexpectedquestions,orajudgethrowsquestionsatyou.
Recognizingobjectionablequestionsandanswers,offeringthoseobjectionsquicklyandprovidingtheappropriatebasisfortheobjection.
Payingattentiontoallfacetsofthetrial,notjustthepartsthatdirectlyaffectyourpresentation.Allinformationheardisinfluential!Learntolistenandincorporateinformationsothatyourpresentation,
whetherasawitnessoranattorney,isthemosteffectiveitcanbe.
TheMockTrialshouldbeasenjoyableasitiseducational.Whenwinningbecomesyourprimarymotivation,theentirecompetitionisdiminished.CoachesandstudentsshouldprepareATLEASTas
muchforlosingastheydoforwinning/advancing.Eachmemberoftheteamstudentorcoachis
personallyresponsibleforhis/herbehaviorpriorto,during,andatthecloseofthetrial.Thereareschools
and
individuals
across
the
state
that
are
no
longer
welcome
to
participate
based
on
previous
behavior.
PartIII:TrialProcedures
Beforeparticipatinginamocktrial,itisimportanttobefamiliarwiththephysicalsettingofthecourtroom,aswell
aswiththeeventsthatgenerallytakeplaceduringthecompetitionandtheorderinwhichtheyoccur.Thissection
outlinestheusualstepsinabenchtrialthatis,withoutajury.
1. TheOpeningoftheCourta. EithertheclerkoftheCourtorthejudgewillcalltheCourttoorder.
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b. Whenthejudgeenters,allparticipantsshouldremainstandinguntilthejudgeisseated.c. Thecasewillbeannounced;i.e.,TheCourtwillnowhearthecaseof________v.________.d. Thejudgewillthenasktheattorneysforeachsideiftheyareready.
2. OpeningStatements(5minutesmaximum)
a. Prosecution(criminalcase)/Plaintiff(civilcase)
Afterintroducing
oneself
and
ones
colleagues
to
the
judge,
the
prosecutor
or
plaintiffs
attorney
summarizestheevidencefortheCourtwhichwillbepresentedtoprovethecase.TheProsecution/
Plaintiffstatementshouldincludeadescriptionofthefactsandcircumstancessurroundingthecase,as
wellasabriefsummaryofthekeyfactsthateachwitnesswillrevealduringtestimony.TheOpening
Statementshouldavoidtoomuchinformation.Itshouldalsoavoidargument,asthestatementis
specificallytoprovidefactsofthecasefromtheclientsperspective.
b. Defense(criminalorcivilcase)
Afterintroducingoneselfandonescolleaguestothejudge,thedefendantsattorneysummarizesthe
evidencefortheCourtwhichwillbepresentedtorebutthecase(ordenythevalidityofthecase)which
theplaintiffhasmade.Itincludesfactsthattendtoweakentheoppositionscase,aswellaskeyfactsthat
eachwitnesswillrevealduringtestimony.Itshouldavoidrepetitionoffactsthatarenotindispute,as
wellasstrongpointsoftheplaintiff/prosecutionscase.AswiththePlaintiffsstatement,Defenseshould
avoidargument
at
this
time.
3. DirectExaminationbythePlaintiff/Prosecutor(7minutesplus2minutesforVoirDire)
Theprosecutor/plaintiffsattorneyconductsdirectexamination(questioning)ofeachofitsownwitnesses.At
thistime,testimonyandotherevidencetoprovetheprosecutions/plaintiffscasewillbepresented.The
purposeofdirectexaminationistoallowthewitnesstorelatethefactstosupporttheprosecution/plaintiff
claimandmeettherequiredburden.Italsoallowscounselforeachsidetoestablishthecredibilityofeachof
theirwitnesses.(Ifopposingcounselchoosestovoirdireawitness,2minutesarepermitted,inadditionto
the7minutesallowedfordirectexamination.)
GeneralSuggestions:
Askopenendedquestions,ratherthanthosethatdrawayesornoresponse.Questionsthatbegin
with
who,
what,
where,
when,
and
how
or
explain
and
describe
are
helpful
duringdirectexamination.
Questionsshouldbeclearandconcise,andshouldhelpguideyourwitnessthroughdirectexamination.Witnessesshouldnotnarratetoolong,asitwilllikelydrawanobjectionfromopposing
counsel.
Donotaskquestionsthatsuggestaspecificanswerorresponse.4. CrossExaminationbytheDefendantsAttorneys(5minutes)
Aftertheattorneyfortheprosecution/plaintiffhascompletedthequestioningofawitness,thejudgethen
allowsthedefenseattorneytocrossexaminethewitness.Thecrossexaminerseekstoclarifyorcastdoubt
uponthetestimonyoftheopposingwitness.Inconsistencyinstories,bias,andotherdamagingfactsmaybe
pointedouttothejudgethroughcrossexamination.(Ifanattorneychoosestovoirdireawitness,2minutes
are
permitted,
in
addition
to
the
5
minutes
allowed
for
cross
examination.
These
2
minutes
are
typically
allottedduringthewitnessdirectexamination.)
GeneralSuggestions:
Usenarrow,leadingquestionsthatsuggestananswertothewitness.Askquestionsthatrequireyesornoresponses.
Ingeneral,itisneveragoodideatoaskquestionstowhichyoudonotknowtheanswerunexpectedresponsescanbecostlyandmayleaveyouunpreparedandoffguard.
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Neveraskwhy.Youdonotwanttogiveawellpreparedwitnessanopportunitytoexpanduponaresponse.
AvoidquestionsthatbeginwithIsntitafactthat,asitallowsanopportunisticwitnessanopportunitytodiscredityou.
5. DirectExaminationbytheDefendantsAttorneys(7minutesplus2minutesforVoirDire)Direct
examination
of
each
defense
witness
follows
the
same
pattern
as
above
which
describes
the
process
for
prosecutionswitness.(See#3aboveforsuggestions.)
6. CrossExaminationbytheProsecution/Plaintiff(5minutes)Crossexaminationofeachdefensewitnessfollowsthesamepatternasaboveforcrossexaminationbythe
defense.(See#4aboveforsuggestions.)
7. ReDirectExaminationbythePlaintiff/Prosecution(3minutesand/or3questions)ThePlaintiffs/Prosecutionsattorneymayconductredirectexaminationofthewitnesstoclarifyany
testimonythatwascastindoubtorimpeachedduringcrossexamination.(Maximumofthreeminutesor
threequestions.)
8. ReCrossExaminationbytheDefenseAttorneys(3minutesand/or3questions)Thedefenseattorneysmayrecrossexaminetheopposingwitnesstoimpeachprevioustestimony.(Maximumofthreeminutesorthreequestions.)
9. VoirDireExaminationbyEitherthePlaintiff/ProsecutionortheDefenseAttorneys(2minutes)
VoirDireistheprocessofaskingquestionstodeterminethecompetenceofanallegedexpertwitness.Before
givinganyexpertopinion,thewitnessmustbequalifiedbythecourtasanexpertwitness.Thecourtmustfirst
determinewhetherornotthewitnessisqualifiedbyknowledge,skills,experience,trainingoreducationto
givetheanticipatedopinion.Aftertheattorneywhocalledthewitnessquestionshim/herabouthis/her
qualificationstogivetheopinion,andbeforethecourtqualifiesthewitnessasanexpertwitness,the
opposingcounselshall(ifhe/shechoosestodoso)havetheopportunitytoconductabriefcrossexamination
(calledvoirdire)ofthewitnessqualifications.
10.Closing
Arguments
(Attorneys)
(5
minutes)
ForthepurposesoftheMockTrialCompetition,thefirstclosingargumentatalltrialsshallbethatofthe
Defense.
a. Defense
Aclosingargumentisareviewoftheevidencepresented.Counselforthedefensereviewstheevidence
aspresented,indicateshowtheevidencedoesnotsubstantiatetheelementsofachargeorclaim,
stressesthefactsandlawfavorabletothedefense,andasksforafindingofnotguilty(ornotatfault)for
thedefense.
b. Prosecution/Plaintiff
Theclosingargumentfortheprosecution/plaintiffreviewstheevidencepresented.The
prosecutions/plaintiffsclosingargumentshouldindicatehowtheevidencehassatisfiedtheelementsof
acharge,
point
out
the
law
applicable
to
the
case,
and
ask
for
afinding
of
guilt,
or
fault
on
the
part
of
the
defense.Becausetheburdenofproofrestswiththeprosecution/plaintiff,thissidehasthefinalword.
11. TheJudgesRoleandDecisionThejudgeisthepersonwhopresidesoverthetrialtoensurethatthepartiesrightsareprotectedandthat
theattorneysfollowtherulesofevidenceandtrialprocedure.Inmocktrials,thejudgealsohasthefunctionof
determiningthefactsofthecaseandrenderingajudgment,justasinactualbenchtrials.
PARTIV:SIMPLIFIEDRULESOFEVIDENCEANDPROCEDURE
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InAmericantrials,elaboraterulesareusedtoregulatetheadmissionofproof(i.e.,oralorphysicalevidence).
Theserulesaredesignedtoensurethatbothpartiesreceiveafairhearingandtoexcludeanyevidencedeemed
irrelevant,incompetent,untrustworthyorundulyprejudicial.Ifitappearsthataruleofevidenceisbeingviolated,
anattorneymayraiseanobjectiontothejudge.Thejudgethendecideswhethertherulehasbeenviolatedand
whethertheevidencemustbeexcludedfromtherecordofthetrial.Intheabsenceofaproperlymadeobjection,
however,the
evidence
will
probably
be
allowed
by
the
judge.
The
burden
is
on
the
attorneys
to
know
the
rules,
tobeabletousethemtopresentthebestpossiblecase,andtolimittheactionsofopposingcounselandtheir
witnesses.
Formalrulesofevidencearequitecomplicatedanddifferdependingonthecourtwherethetrialoccurs.For
purposesofthisMockTrialCompetition,therulesofevidencehavebeenmodifiedandsimplified.Notalljudges
willinterprettherulesofevidenceorprocedurethesameway,andyoumustbepreparedtopointoutthespecific
rule(quotingit,ifnecessary)andtoarguepersuasivelyfortheinterpretationandapplicationoftheruleyouthink
proper.Nomatterwhichwaythejudgerules,attorneysshouldaccepttherulingwithgraceandcourtesy!
1.SCOPE
RULE101: SCOPE.Theserulesgovernallproceedingsinthemocktrialcompetition.Theonlyrules
ofevidenceinthecompetitionarethoseincludedintheserules.
RULE102: OBJECTIONS.Anobjectionwhichisnotcontainedintheserulesshallnotbeconsidered
bytheCourt.However,ifcounselrespondingtotheobjectiondoesnotpointouttothe
judgetheapplicationofthisrule,theCourtmayexerciseitsdiscretioninconsidering
suchobjections.
2.RELEVANCY
RULE201: RELEVANCY.Relevantevidencemeansevidencehavinganytendencytomakethe
existenceofanyfactthatisofconsequencetothedeterminationoftheactionmore
probablyorlessprobablethanitwouldbewithouttheevidence.Itisthatwhichhelps
thetrieroffactdecidetheissuesofthecase.However,iftherelevantevidenceis
unfairlyprejudicial,confusestheissues,orisawasteoftime,itmaybeexcludedbythe
Court.
ExampleofaRelevantQuestion:Alex,what,ifany,interactionhaveyouhadwith
Dannysdogs?
ExampleofanIrrelevantQuestion:Alex,howmanysiblingsdoyouhave?
Objection:
Iobject,YourHonor.Thistestimonyisirrelevanttothefactsofthecase.
RULE202: CHARACTER.Evidenceaboutthecharacterofapartyorwitness(otherthanhisorher
characterfortruthfulnessoruntruthfulness)maynotbeintroducedunlessthepersons
characterisanissueinthecase.
Objection:
Objection.Evidenceofthewitnesscharacterisnotpropergiventhefactsofthecase.
3.WITNESSEXAMINATION
A.DIRECTEXAMINATION(attorneycallsandquestionswitness)
RULE301: FORMOFQUESTION.Witnessesshouldbeaskeddirectquestionsandmaynotbeasked
leadingquestionsondirectexamination.Directquestionsarephrasedtoevokeasetof
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10
factsfromthewitnesses.Aleadingquestion,ontheotherhand,isonethatimplies,
suggestsorpromptsthewitnesstoanswerinaparticularmanner typicallyayesor
noanswer.
ExampleofaDirectQuestion:
TheStateasks,Lynne,howmanytimeshaveyouhadtoconfiscateanimalsfromtheir
owners?
ExampleofaLeadingQuestion:
TheStateasks,Lynne,isntittruethatyoumakeahabitofconfiscatinganimals,even
whenthereslittleevidenceofabuse?
Objection:Objection:Counselisleadingthewitness.
NARRATION.Whilethepurposeofdirectexaminationistogetthewitnesstotella
story,thequestionsmustaskforspecificinformation.Thequestionsmustnotbeso
broadthatthewitnessisallowedtowanderornarrateanentirestory.Narrative
questionsareobjectionable.
ExampleofNarrativeQuestion:
Danny,telltheCourtaboutyourchildhood.
Objection:
Objection.Questionasksfornarration.
Attimes,adirectquestionmaybeappropriate,butthewitnessanswermaygobeyond
thefactsforwhichthequestionwasasked.Suchanswersaresubjecttoobjectionon
thegroundsofnarration.
RULE302: SCOPEOFWITNESSEXAMINATION.Directexaminationmaycoverallfactsrelevantto
thecase
of
which
the
witness
has
first
hand
knowledge.
Any
factual
areas
examined
on
directexaminationmaybesubjecttocrossexamination.
RULE303: REFRESHINGRECOLLECTION.Ifawitnessisunabletorecallastatementmadeinan
affidavit,theattorneyondirectmayshowthatportionoftheaffidavitthatwillhelpthe
witnesstoremember.
B.CROSSEXAMINATION(questioningtheothersideswitness)
RULE304: FORMOFQUESTION.Anattorneymayaskleadingquestionswhencrossexaminingthe
opponentswitnesses.Questionsthattendtoevokeanarrativeanswershouldbe
avoidedinmostinstances.
RULE305: SCOPEOFWITNESSEXAMINATION.Attorneysmayonlyaskquestionsthatrelateto
mattersbroughtoutbytheothersideondirectexaminationortomattersrelatingto
thecredibilityofthewitness.Thisincludesfactsandstatementsmadebythewitness
fortheopposingparty.Notethatmanyjudgesallowabroadinterpretationofthisrule.
Example:Ondirectexamination,awitnessisnotquestionedaboutagiventopic,and
theopposingattorneyasksaquestionaboutthistopiconcrossexamination.
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Objection:
Objection.Counselisaskingthewitnessaboutmatterswhichdidnotariseduringdirect
examination.
RULE306: IMPEACHMENT.Oncrossexamination,theattorneymayimpeachawitness(showthat
awitnessshouldnotbebelieved)by(1)askingquestionsaboutpriorconductthat
makesthe
witness
credibility
(truth
telling
ability)
doubtful,
or
(2)
asking
questions
aboutpreviouscontradictorystatements.Thesekindsofquestionscanonlybeasked
whenthecrossexaminingattorneyhasinformationthatindicatesthattheconduct
actuallyhappened.
C.REDIRECTEXAMINATION
RULE307: LIMITONQUESTIONS.Aftercrossexamination,uptothree(3),butnomorethanthree
(3),questionsmaybeaskedbythedirectexaminingattorney,andsuchquestionsare
limitedtomattersraisedbytheattorneyoncrossexamination.(Thepresidingjudgehas
considerablediscretionindecidinghowtolimitthescopeoftheredirect.)
NOTE:
Ifthecredibilityorthereputationfortruthfulnessofthewitnesshasbeenattackedoncrossexamination,
the
attorney
whose
witness
has
been
damaged
may
wish
to
ask
several
more
questions.
These
questions
shouldbelimitedtothedamagetheattorneythinkshasbeendoneandshouldbephrasedsoastotryto
savethewitnesstruthtellingimageintheeyesofthecourt.Redirectexaminationislimitedtoissues
raisedbytheattorneyoncrossexamination.PleasenotethatattimesitmaybemoreappropriateNOTto
engageinredirectexamination.
D.RECROSSEXAMINATION
RULE308: LIMITONQUESTIONS.Three(3)additionalquestions,butnomorethanthree(3),may
beaskedbythecrossexaminingattorney,andsuchquestionsarelimitedtomatterson
redirectexaminationandshouldavoidrepetition.(Thepresidingjudgehas
considerablediscretionindecidinghowtolimitthescopeoftherecross.)Likeredirect
examination,attimesitmaybemoreappropriatenottoengageinrecross
examination.
Objection:
Objection.Counselisaskingthewitnessaboutmattersthatdidnotcomeuponre
directexamination.
4.HEARSAY
A.THERULE
RULE401: HEARSAY.Hearsayisastatement,otherthanonemadebythedeclarantwhiletestifying
atthetrial,offeredinevidencetoprovethetruthofthematterassertedmadeoutside
ofthecourtroom.Statementsmadeoutsideofthecourtroomareusuallynotallowedas
evidenceiftheyareofferedincourttoshowthatthestatementsaretrue.Themost
commonhearsay
problem
occurs
when
awitness
is
asked
to
repeat
what
another
personstatedtohimorher.ForthepurposesoftheMockTrialCompetition,ifa
documentisstipulated,youmaynotraiseahearsayobjectiontoit.
Example:Alexstates:Iheardotherneighborstalkingabouthowloudanddisruptive
Dannysdogswerebeing.
Objection:Objection.Thestatementishearsay,YourHonor.
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12
PossibleResponsetotheObjection:YourHonor,thetestimonyisnotofferedtoprove
thetruthofthematterasserted,butonlytoshow.
B.EXCEPTIONS
RULE402: ADMISSIONAGAINSTINTEREST.Ajudgemayadmithearsayevidenceifitwassaidbya
partyinthecaseandcontainsevidencewhichgoesagainstthepartysside.
RULE403: STATEOFMIND.Ajudgemayadmithearsayevidenceifapersonsstateofmindisan
importantpartofthecaseandthehearsayconsistsofevidenceofwhatsomeonesaid
whichdescribedthatparticularpersonsstateofmind.
RULE404: BUSINESSRECORDS.Amemorandum,report,record,ordatacompilation,inanyform,
ofacts,events,conditions,opinions,ordiagnosis,madeatornearthetimebyorfrom
informationtransmittedbyapersonwithknowledge,ifkeptinthecourseofaregularly
conductedbusinessactivity,andifitwastheregularpracticeofthatbusinessactivityto
makethememorandum,report,record,ordatacompilation,allasshownbythe
testimonyofthecustodianorotherqualifiedwitness,unlessthesourceofthe
informationorthemethodofcircumstancesofpreparationindicatelackof
trustworthiness,
shall
be
admissible.
The
term
business
as
used
in
this
paragraph
includesbusiness,institution,association,profession,occupation,andcallingsofevery
kind,whetherornotconductedforprofit.
RULE405: EXCITEDUTTERANCE.Astatementrelatingtoastartlingeventorconditionmadewhile
thedeclarantwasunderthestressofexcitementcausedbytheeventorcondition.
5.OPINIONANDEXPERTTESTIMONY
RULE501: OPINIONTESTIMONYBYNONEXPERTS.Witnesseswhoarenottestifyingasexperts
maygiveopinionswhicharebasedonwhattheysaworheardandarehelpfulin
explainingtheirstory.AwitnessmayNOTtestifytoanymatterofwhichthewitnesshas
nopersonalknowledge,normayawitnessgiveanopinionabouthowthecaseshould
bedecided.
Example:Sam,doyoubelieve,basedonyourobservations,thatDannywasengagedin
trainingdogsforthepurposeoffightingthem?
Objections:
Objection.Thewitnesshasnopersonalknowledgethatwouldenablehim/herto
answerthisquestion/makethisstatement.
Objection.Thequestionasksthewitnesstogiveaconclusionthatgoestothefindingof
theCourt.
RULE502: OPINIONTESTIMONYBYEXPERTS.Onlypersonsqualifiedasexpertsmaygiveopinions
onquestionsthatrequirespecialknowledgeorqualifications.Anexpertmaybecalled
asawitnesstorenderanopinionbasedonprofessionalexperience.Anexpertmustbe
qualifiedbytheattorneyforthepartyforwhomtheexpertistestifying.Thismeansthat
beforetheexpertwitnesscanbeaskedforexpertopinion,thequestioningattorney
mustbringouttheexpertsqualifications,educationand/orexperience.
Example:(Priortobeingqualifiedasanexpert)Dr.Martin,pleaseexplaininjuriesthat
wouldbeconsistentwithdogfighting.
Objection:Objection.Counselisaskingthewitnesstogiveanexpertopinionforwhich
thewitnesshasnotbeenqualified.
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13
RULE503: VOIRDIRE.(Tospeakthetruth.)Afteranattorneywhohascalledawitnessquestions
him/herabouthis/herqualifications,andbeforethecourtqualifiesthewitnessasan
expert,theopposingcounselshallhavetheopportunity,ifhe/shechooses,toconduct
voirdire.Afterthevoirdireexaminationhasbeenconducted,thecrossexamining
attorneyshouldadvisethecourtastowhetherthereareanyobjectionstothewitness
beingqualified
as
an
expert
witness
and/or
whether
there
are
any
objections
to
the
witnessexpertisetogivethespecificopiniontheopposingcounselistryingtoelicit
fromthiswitness.
Example:
(afterquestioningbyanattorneytocreateafoundationforhis/herwitnesstobe
qualifiedbytheCourtasanexpertwitness):Atthistime,yourHonor,Irequestthatthe
Courtacceptandqualifythewitnessasanexpertinthefieldof.
Objection:
YourHonor,wewouldlikepermissiontovoirdirethewitness.
6.PHYSICALEVIDENCE
RULE601:
INTRODUCTION
OF
PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE.
Physical
evidence
may
be
introduced
only
if
it
iscontainedwithinthecasebookandrelevanttothecase.Physicalevidencewillnotbe
admittedintoevidenceuntilithasbeenidentifiedandshowntobeauthenticorits
identificationand/orauthenticityhasbeenstipulated.Thatadocumentisauthentic
meansonlythatitiswhatitappearstobe,notthatthestatementsinthedocumentare
necessarilytrue.
Physicalevidenceneedonlybeintroducedonce.Theproperproceduretousewhen
introducingaphysicalobjectordocumentforidentificationand/oruseasevidenceis
(forexample):
a. Showtheexhibittoopposingcounsel.b. Showtheexhibitandhaveitmarkedbytheclerk/judge.YourHonor,pleasehave
thismarked
as
Plaintiffs
Exhibit
1for
identification.
c. Askthewitnesstoidentifytheexhibit.InowhandyouwhatismarkedPlaintiffsExhibit1.Wouldyouidentifyit,please?
d. Askthewitnessabouttheexhibit,establishingitsrelevancy.e. Offertheexhibitintoevidence.YourHonor,weofferPlaintiffsExhibit1into
evidenceatthistime.
f. TheJudgewillaskopposingcounselwhetherthereisanyobjection,ruleontheobjectionifthereisone,andadmitornotadmittheexhibitintoevidence.
g. Iftheexhibitisadocument,handittotheclerk/judge.NOTE:Afteranaffidavithasbeenmarkedforidentification,awitnessmaybeaskedquestionsaboutit
withoutitsintroductionintoevidence.
7.INVENTION
OF
FACTS
(Special
Rules
for
the
Mock
Trial
Competition)
RULE701: DIRECTEXAMINATION.Ondirectexamination,thewitnessislimitedtothefactsand
evidenceprovidedinthecasebook.Ifawitnesstestifiesincontradictionofafactgiven
inthewitnessstatement,opposingcounselshouldimpeach(proveuntrue)thewitness
testimonyduringcrossexamination.Ifthewitnessgoesbeyondthefactsgiven,such
thattheydirectlyconflictwiththestipulatedfactsorwitnessaffidavits,abench
conferencemayberequestedbyopposingcounsel,atwhichtimethecounselmay
objecttoinventionoffacts.(Itshouldbenotedthatthegrantingofabenchconference
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14
isadiscretionarydecisionofthejudge.Arequestforabenchconferencemightnotbe
granted.)
Example:
Sam,exactlyhowmanydogshaveyouseenlivingattheHardinghomeovertheyears
youhavebeendeliveringmail.
Samreplies:
Oh,
at
least
adozen.
Objections:
Objection,yourhonor,thewitnessiscreatingfactswhicharenotintherecord.
Objection.Thewitnessisinventingfactsthatdirectlycontradictcasematerial.
YourHonor,thewitnessisintentionallycreatingfactswhichcouldmateriallyalterthe
outcomeofthecase.
RULE702: CROSSEXAMINATION.Questionsoncrossexaminationshouldnotseektoelicit
informationthatisnotcontainedinthefactpattern.Ifoncrossexaminationawitnessis
askedaquestion,theanswertowhichisnotcontainedinthewitnessstatementsofthe
directexamination,thewitnessmayrespondwithanyanswerwhichdoesnotmaterially
altertheoutcomeofthetrial.Ananswerwhichiscontrarytothewitnessaffidavitmay
beimpeached
by
the
cross
examining
attorney.
If
the
witness
invents
facts
material
to
thecase,abenchconferencemaybecalledand,ifgranted,anobjectionmadetothe
inventionoffacts.
8.SPECULATION
RULE801: Speculation,orsomeonesideaaboutwhatmighthaveoccurred,isgenerallynot
permitted.Awitnessmaynotjumptoconclusionsthatarenotbasedonactual
experiencesorobservations,asthisisoflittleprobativevalue.Someleewayisallowed
forthewitnesstousetheirownwords,andgreaterfreedomisallowedwithexpert
witnesses.
Objection:
"Objection.This
calls
for
speculation
on
part
of
the
witness.
9.PROCEDURERULES
RULE901: PROCEDURESFOROBJECTIONS.Anattorneymayobjectanytimetheopposingattorney
hasviolatedtheRulesofEvidence.
NOTE: Theattorneywhoisobjectingshouldstandupanddosoatthetimeofthe
violation.Whenanobjectionismade,thejudgewillusuallyaskthereasonforit.Then
thejudgewillturntotheattorneywhoaskedthequestionandthatattorneywillusually
haveachancetoexplainwhytheobjectionshouldnotbeaccepted(sustained)bythe
judge.Thejudgewillthendecidewhethertodiscardaquestionoranswerbecauseit
hasviolatedaruleofevidence(objectionsustained),orwhethertoallowaquestion
oranswertoremainonthetrialrecord(objectionoverruled).
RULE902:
MOTIONS
TO
DISMISS.
Motions
for
dismissal
at
the
end
of
the
prosecutions
case
are
NOTpermitted.
RULE903: CLOSINGARGUMENTS.Closingargumentsmustbebasedontheevidenceand
testimonypresentedduringthetrial.Offeringnewinformationatthispointis
prohibited.
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DefendantsTableProsecution/PlaintiffTable
Witness
WelloftheCourtroom
Podium
Seatingforpublic
Witness
WelloftheCourtroom
Podium
Seatingforpublic
Prosecution/PlaintiffTableDefendantsTable
Note:Thelayoutofcourtroomsvarieswidelyfromcourthousetocourthouse.Prosecutionanddefensetablesareusuallydictatedbywherethejuryboxissituated(ifthereisajurybox).Inmostinstances,prosecutionsitsclosesttothejury,andthedefensesitsatthefartable.Thisisbasedonthepremisethatthedefendantisinnocentuntilprovenguilty,andsoisremoved(asfaraspossible)fromthescrutinyofthecourt.
#1
#2
CourtroomDiagram
15
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INTHECIRCUITCOURTOFTHESTATEOFMARYLAND
INANDFORMONTGOMERYCOUNTY
StateofMaryland )
)
v. )
)DannyHarding, )
)
Defendant. )
______________________________________________________________________________
CASESUMMARY/STATEMENTOFSTIPULATEDFACTS
DannyHardingisaresidentoftheEverettcommunityinMontgomeryCounty,Maryland. Hardingworks
forABCPackaging,wherethemajorityoftheworkismanuallabor. Thoughwelllikedatworkandpopularamong
coworkers,Danny isfrequently lateandhasaratherhighnumberofabsences. Harding iscommonlyknownas
Flashamongclosefriends,asanodtoanobviouspreferenceforfinethings;designerlabels,afullyloadedLexus,
andsuch.
OnAugust23,2012,Hardinglefthomeat1:00pm,sotherewouldbesufficienttimetostopatthebank
andthedrycleanersonthewaytoABCPackaging.Dannywasscheduledtoworkthesecondshiftfrom3:00pmto
11:00pm. Around 2:05pm, an anonymous call was placed to 311, reporting suspicious sightings and sounds
emanating from1642ElmPointLane, theaddressofHardingshome. Policeweredispatchedand loggedtheir
arrivalat2:42pm. Hearingstrangewhimperingnoises,policeforcedtheirwayintotheresidence.
Policediscoveredsevenpitbullmixeddogsconfinedincratesinsidetheresidence,andoneDobermanin
aspaciouskennelinthebackyard. Fiveofthecrateswerelocatedonthefirstfloorofthehouse,andtwoofthe
crateswerelocatedinthebasement,whichwaspoorlylit,musty,andlinedwithbaffling. Thecrateslackedfood
and water, though many bowls were present in the house outside of the crates. By contrast, the kenneled
Dobermanhadanamplesupplyoffoodandwaterinsideherpristinespace.
Severalofthecrateddogshadbitemarkson their faces, legs,andbodies.WiththeexceptionofBella,
noneofthedogswerelicensed,norhadtheyreceivedrabiesorothercorevaccinations. Whilesomeofthedogs
wereunkemptinappearance,noneofthedogsappearedtobeinimminentdangerofdeath.
In thehouseandbackyard,policediscovereddogtraining equipment, includingharnesses, ropeswith
metalcoils,Velcroweights,abreedingstand,andchains. ThepoliceconfiscatedMuscleUpPowderandK9
SuperFuelanimalsupplements,BetadineSurgicalScrubwoundcleanser,steroids labeled fordoguse,and IVs.
Eight4footby3footpanelswithconnectinghingeswerefoundstackedagainstthewallinthebasement.When
latchedtogether,theycreatedan8footby8footbox.Labtestsconductedontheboardswere inconclusive,as
theyhadbeendousedwithanindustrialstrengthcleaner.
PolicecalledtheirAnimalControldivision,andOfficerGrahamresponded. OfficerGrahamtookalleight
dogsto
the
Montgomery
County
SPCA,
where
aveterinarian
examined
them.
The
dogs
were
treated
for
avariety
ofailments includingdehydration,kennelcough,urinary tract infection,mammarygland tumor, skin infections
anddiarrhea.
InsurveyingHardingshome,policealsonotedthat thehousecontainedanunusualamountofclutter,
includingmanyneatlyorganizedstacksofpapersandboxes. Thecluttercreatedalabyrinthinemazeinthehouse,
thougheachroomwasaccessibleandtraversable. Lackingawarrant,policedidnotopenanyoftheboxesorrifle
throughthepapers.
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PolicetrackedHardingdownatworkandaskedthats/hevoluntarilycomewiththemtothepolicestation
todiscussthesituation. TheofficersnotedHardingsapparentsurprisewhentoldoftheeventsthattranspired
after s/he left forwork that day. During the interviewwith police,Harding volunteered that eachdogwas a
rescueanimal,savedfromlargelyunknown butclearlyunsavory circumstances.
Harding explained the presence of the training equipment, supplements, and medical supplies as
instrumentsused
in
the
rehabilitation
and
training
of
dogs.
Harding
explained
that
the
dogs
were
always
crated
whiles/hewasatwork,andthattheywereplaced intheonlycratess/hehadavailable.Hardingalsoexplained
thatamplefoodandwaterwasalwaysavailabletothedogswhens/hewashome.
Aftertheir interviewwithHarding,policefiledchargesagainsthimforabuseandneglectofanimalsand
aggravatedcrueltytoanimals. Afterreview,Hardingwas indictedonsevencountsofanimalabuseandneglect
andsevencountsofaggravatedcrueltytoanimals.
STATEMENTOFCHARGESANDDEFENSES
TheStateofMarylandchargesDannyHardingwiththefollowingviolationsofMarylandCode:
MDCode10604Abuseorneglectofanimal.
(a)(3).Apersonmaynotinflictunnecessarysufferingorpainonananimal;7counts
Danny
Harding
did
inflict
unnecessary
suffering
and
pain
to
Dog
#1,
Dog
#2,
Dog
#3,
Dog
#4,
Dog
#5,
Dog
#6,
and
Dog#7.
(a)(5).Ifthepersonhaschargeorcustodyofananimal,asanownerorotherwise,unnecessarilyfailtoprovidethe
animalwithnutritiousfood insufficientquantity,necessaryveterinariancare,properdrink,air,space,shelteror
protectionfromtheweather;7counts
DannyHardingdid fail toprovide theanimalwithnutritious food in sufficientquantity,necessaryveterinarian
care,properdrink,air,space,shelterorprotectionfromtheweathertoDog#1,Dog#2,Dog#3,Dog#4,Dog#5,
Dog#6,andDog#7.
MDCode10607.AggravatedcrueltytoanimalsCertainactivitiesrelatedtodogfightsprohibited.
(a)(3)Apersonmaynotpossess,own,sell,transport,ortrainadogwiththeintenttousethedoginadogfight;7
counts
DannyHardingdidpossess,own,sell,transport,ortrainadogwiththeintenttouseDog#1,Dog#2,Dog#3,Dog
#4,Dog#5,Dog#6,andDog#7inadogfight.
STIPULATIONS
Thepartieshavestipulatedtotheauthenticityandfactualaccuracyofthefollowingitems. Thepartieshavealso
agreedthattheitemsarenotindispute:
1. 311Transcript2. SPCAVeterinaryCareReports3. AnimalControlComplaintForm&Attachment4. PhysicalCareSkin&HaircoatChart
WITNESSESTOAPPEARBEFORETHECOURT
Witnessfor
the
Prosecution
LynneGraham,AnimalControlOfficer
Dr.TyJohnson,Veterinarian/AnimalTrainer
AlexVogel,Neighbor
Witnessesfor
the
Defense
DannyHarding,*Defendant
Dr.TaylorMartin,SPCAVeterinarian
SamShelton,USPSWorker
*Dannycanbeportrayedbyeithergender,andthefactpatterncanbeadjustedaccordingly.
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18
LYNNEGRAHAM,WitnessfortheProsecution12
Iwork for theMontgomery County PoliceDepartment,where I am an Animal ControlOfficer for our Animal3
ServicesDivision.Thisisarelativelynewdivisionofthepolicedepartment;backwhenIfirstbegan,AnimalControl4
wasanindependentcountydepartment.About15yearsago,theyrolledthefunctionsofACintothecountypolice5
department.We respond to, and investigate more than 9,000 complaints annually, most of which are public6
nuisance
animals.
Thanks
to
high
profile
animal
cruelty
cases
like
Michael
Vick
and
Travers
and
Tremayne
Johnson,
7
wehaveseenan increasingnumberofcallsregardingsuspectedanimalcrueltycases. Ifthere isanygoodatall8
thathascomeoutofthesecases,itsthefactthatpeoplearemuchmoreawareofthesignsofanimalabuse,and9
muchlesswillingtotolerateit.10
11
In addition to our investigation,we inspect and license about 150 animalrelated business each year, provide12
administrative support for the AnimalMatters Hearing Board, and oversee a number of contracts relating to13
animals. We also investigate about 1,200 animal bite cases a year, and conduct six annual rabies vaccination14
clinics.Liketherestofourdepartments,westaybusy.15
16
Ihavebeenwith thedepartment since it firstopened in 1996, andprior to that, served asanAnimalControl17
Officer
for
4
years.
I
attended
Montgomery
College
and
received
an
AAS
Associate
of
Applied
Science
degree
in
18
CriminalJusticebeforebeginningmycareer.WhenIwasmuchyounger,Iaspiredtobeaveterinarianbecauseof19
myloveforanimals.But,Imarriedyoungandwesoonbeganafamily,andtherejustwasnttimeandmoneyfor20
school.Thatsaid,IdolovemyjobandthepeoplewithwhomIwork.21
22
OntheafternoonofAugust23,2012,wereceivedaphonecallonournonemergency line,fromananonymous23
caller. The caller noted several concerns, namely about noises thatwere emanating from a neighbors home.24
Althoughthecallerbelievedthenoisestobeassociatedwithanimals,ourregularpoliceofficersweredispatched25
tocheckoutthehome.Once insidetheresidence,theyfoundanumberofdogsthatappearedtobeunwell,so26
theycalledmydepartment.TheEverettcommunitywasinmyterritorythatday,soIresponded.27
28
Unlikethe
cartoonish
images
that
many
have
in
their
minds
when
thinking
of
old
time
animal
catchers,
ACOs
are
29
trainedtoactwithcaution,compassion,andcommonsense.Iverespondedtohouseswhereabunchofofficers30
havetheplacesurroundedwithadogcoweringinthecorneroftheyard.Theywanttotranquilizetheanimal;and31
allIdoiswalkcloserandcallgentlytothepoorthing,anditwalksovertomewaggingitstail.Honestly,thatsthe32
reasonwhywehavespecializeddepartments Iwouldntdaretrytoassertanyauthoritywhere Idontpossess33
theknowhow.Whenitinvolvesanimals,wegetcalledin,becauseweknowhowtorespondappropriately.34
35
Oneofthefirstthingsthattipsusoffsometimeswellbeforeweenteraresidenceisthesmellthatemanates36
from it.Thiswasthecaseonthisday. Idontmeananappallingsmell itsmoreanodorthatyoumightsmell37
whenyoutakeyourpettotheVet.Itsamixofanimals,fear,medicine,petwaste,andcleaners,sortofallmixed38
together. Ialwaysreferto itasthesicksmell,thoughthatprobablypaintsthewrong image. Inanycase,this39
househad
the
sick
smell.
40
41
Iwas instructedbyofficersalreadyonthescenetocomearoundtothebackofthehouse.Uponarriving, Iwas42
greetedbyabeautifulDoberman.Shewasinasubstantialkennelinthebackyard,withfreshwater,food,anda43
coupleoftoys.Partofthekennelwascoveredbyaroof,sothatshewouldbeshelteredby inclementweather.44
Underthecoveredpartwasafleecepetbed.Shewasdefinitelyabarker,soatfirst,Iwasinclinedtothinkthiswas45
moreofanuisancecall.46
Ienteredthedwellingthroughthebasementdoor,andwasabittakenabackbywhatIsaw.Thebasement,which47
had apartially tiled floor,washome to twodogsbothmixedpitbullbreeds. The crateswere small for the48
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19
animals,andappearedtohavenotbeencleanedforsometime.Itsdifficulttosayhowlong,however,becauseit49
lookedasthoughtheywerebothsufferingfromdiarrhea.50
51
Thebottomofthecages,aswellasthebacksidesofthepupsthemselves,werecoveredinfeces.Thesetwodogs52
wereinprettybadconditionatfirstglance.Theyhaddeeppuncturewoundsontheirsnoutwhichdidnotlookto53
becleanedortreated.Understandably,theywereverywaryofus,andittooksometimetocoaxthemoutoftheir54
crates.
One
of
the
dogs
was
whining
loudly,
and
shaking
very
badly.
55
56
Proppedupagainstthewallwereeightplywoodboardslayingonthefloor,eachmeasuringapproximately4by3.57
Itlookedtobesomethinglikeamakeshiftenclosure,becauseeachboardcontainedlatches.Imguessingitcould58
probablybeputtogetherandtakenapartinamatterofminutes.59
60
Onthemainfloorofthehouse,wefoundfivemoredogs,allincratesthat,inmyopinion,weretoosmallfortheir61
sizes.Noneofthedogshadwaterorfoodintheircrates,buttherewerebowlsofwaterandfoodinvirtuallyevery62
roomofthehouse.Twoofthedogscrateshadurineand feces in them.Threeof thedogscrateswereclean.63
Someofthedogsappearedabitunkemptwithsomemattingontheirrearends.Noneofthedogsonthemain64
floorseemedtohaveserioushealthconditions,withtheexceptionofoneofthefemaledogswhichhada large65
growth
on
her
underside.
They
were
uncharacteristically
quiet,
despite
the
fact
that
strangers
were
traipsing
66
throughtheirhouse.Infact,oneoftheanimalsthefemalewithalargemassonherundersidesatshakingin67
hercratewhilewecompletedtheinvestigation.68
69
Inaddition to theanimals, I foundanumberof items thatweusuallyassociatewithdogtraining. Inoted two70
different vitamin supplements MuscleUp Powder and K9 Super Fuel commonly given to dogs that are71
receiving strengthtraining. I also tooknoteof a surgical scrubwound cleanser, steroids, IVs and a numberof72
piecesofequipment:harnesses,Velcroweights,andevenabreedingstand.The itemswere locatedthroughout73
thehouse,butprimarily in thebackyard.Allof these items raise serious red flags formeasanAnimalControl74
Officer,asmanyofthemarecommonlyusedbylesssophisticateddogfightingoperations.75
76
Onthe
other
hand,
there
are
also
tell
tale,
hard
to
conceal,
signs
of
dog
fighting
that
were
not
evident
during
my
77
investigation.Weroutinelyseefightpits,wheretheactualfightsoccur.Oftenthepitsaresplatteredwithblood,78
andinsomeinstances,remainsoftheunfortunatevictims.Weseebreaksticksthatareusedtodisengageonedog79
fromanother.Weoftenfindwashbasinssothatrespectiveownerscancleansetheirdogsopponenttoremove80
anypoisonousorcausticsubstancespriortothematch.Asnotedbypoliceonthescene,thefirstfloorwasbarely81
passablebecauseofboxeseverywhere.Inthebasement,however,therewasalarge,clear spaceinthemiddleof82
thebasementthatwaseasily15feetby15feet.Onecouldeasilyputtogetherthe4x3boardsinthatspace,and83
useitforadogfightingring.84
85
Iwouldnotethatnoneoftheitemsfound,noranyoftheitemsnotfound,arestandaloneproofofdogfighting.86
Rather,thetotalityofallparaphernaliaiswhatcreatesconsiderablesuspicion.87
88
Giventhefactthatatleastacoupleofthedogsseemedtobeinpoorhealthandunsavorylivingconditions,Ifeltit89
necessary to remove allof thedogs from the residenceandhave them examinedby the county SPCA. This is90
awfullyclosetoanimalhoarding,asfarasImconcerned.Ilearnedalongtimeagoifmygutsaystoremovethe91
animals,thenIhadbetterdoit,orrisklosingmanynightssleepovertheguiltandconcern.Manyoftheconditions92
thatareprevalentamongcaninesthat live inthistypeofenvironmentareascontagiousasthecommoncoldto93
humans, soweerron the sideof caution. Iconferredwith thepoliceofficerswho initially responded,andwe94
agreedthattheywouldquestionHardingimmediately.95
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20
ALEXVOGEL,WitnessfortheProsecution12
MynameisAlexVogel,andIliveat1640ElmPointLaneinMontgomeryCounty,Maryland,nextdoortoDanny3
Harding. IworkatthedelicatessenatGiantGrocersrightinmyneighborhood.Ivebeenthereformorethan4
fifteen years, and enjoy the short commute. If its a niceday, Ill sometimeswalk towork. Its one of the5
reasons
I
decided
to
move
into
my
neighborhood
nearly
fourteen
years
ago.
6
Ourneighborhood istight. Itremindsmeoftheareawhere Igrewupnice,brick,rowhomes,where front7
doorsarealwaysopen,peoplesitontheirfrontporchestalkingtoneighbors,andfolksarealwayslookingout8
foroneanother.Itsalmostunheardofthesedays.WealsohaveaNeighborhoodWatchprogramitsnothing9
formal,butifsomethingorsomeoneissuspicious,weleteachotherknow.10
I figuredDannywould fit right in to the neighborhood. Itwas a sad situationMrs.Hardings passing so11
suddenly.IknowitwasdevastatingtoDanny,andreally,thewholeneighborhoodfeltthatway.Mrs.Harding12
wastheeyesandearsofourstreetrealnice,alwaysdoingnicethingsforothers,andreadytogossipabout13
thelatestnews.IbasicallywatchedDannygrowup.ThoughIwasalittleconcernedthatDannymightbetoo14
youngtokeepupthehousethewayMrs.Hardingwouldve liked,everythingseemedokay inthebeginning.15
Dannysnice
enough,
social
at
times,
keeps
the
house
and
yard
reasonably
neat
all
of
the
things
youd
want
16
inaneighbor.17
Upuntilthestartofthenewyear, itwasreasonablyquietoverthere,too.But,thenthedogsarrived.Danny18
alwayshadtheDobermanarealsweetdogwhodoesntdomuchmorethanwaghertailwhensheseesme.19
Shebarelybarked,whichiswhyIthoughtitoddthatIkepthearingbarkingcomingfromDannyshouse.Then,20
outofnowhereitseemed,Dannyhadabunchofdogslivingoverthere.21
Ononeoccasion,DannyaskedifIheardthedogswhens/hesoutofthehouse.IwasasdiplomaticasIcould22
bewithmyresponse,andsaidsomethinglikeIvegottenusedtothenoise.Imean,whatamIsupposedto23
sayIcanthearmyselfthinkbecausetheymakesucharacket? Icouldnteventellyouhowmanydogslive24
there.
They
look
the
same
to
me,
except
for
their
color.
In
the
mornings
and
on
the
weekends,
Id
see
Danny
in
25
thebackyardwiththedogs,shoutingorders likeamilitarycommander. Thankgoodnessforthechainlinked26
fence,becausesomeofthemlookferocious. Theydontbarkmuchandiftheydo,Dannyyellsatthem.But27
theyarealwaysfightingwithoneanother,orhavesomethingclenched intheirteeththattheyarewhipping28
aroundviolently. Theylookliketheywouldtearapartandeatanythingintheirway.29
Onseveraloccasions, IsawpeopleenteringDannyshome late in theeveninglike10pmorso,justas Iwas30
gettinghome fromwork. Ithought itoddthat theguestswouldsometimesbringtheirdogswiththem.The31
dogslookedliketheywerepullinghardontheirleashesandwearingmuzzles.Ishoutedovertosayhello,but32
Dannyjust lookedawayandrushed inside. Ithought itstrange,too,thatIwasnever invited.Imean,weare33
nextdoorneighbors.34
Ihave
never
reported
Danny
to
the
authorities
because
its
not
really
my
business
what
Danny
does
within
the
35
perimeterofthehome. Imafirmbelieverthatwhathappensinyourhomeshouldbeyourownbusiness. But36
thedanger tothecommunityposedbyviciousattackdogs,well,thatsanotherthing. Plus,thenoisethose37
cretinsmakewhenDannyisawayfromthehouseitsjustawful.Betweentheincessantbarkingandwhining,38
somethinghadtochange.ThehouseontheothersideofDanny isvacant; itwas foreclosedonacoupleof39
yearsago,soImprobablytheonlyoneaffectedbythenoise.40
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21
AndthentherestherabbleofpeoplecomingandgoingfromDannyshomelateatnight.Theylovetoshowoff41
theirblingandfancycarsbutImnotjealous. OneofDannysnightguestsoncedoubleparkedhisBMW542
seriesnexttomy02HondaCivic,sothatIwascompletelyblockedin.Itsatthereforhours.AndthenwhenI43
tried tohave theguests car towed,Danny cameout andbribed the tow truckdriverwith cash! Laterhe44
apologizedtomeandsaid,Imakealotofmoneyofftheguywhodrivesthatcar;Ineedhimandhisbuddies45
to
come
back
as
much
as
possible.
You
know,
ABC
Packaging
doesnt
come
close
to
covering
all
my
bills.
46
Sometimes,IthinkDannydoesnthavethetimeorthepatiencetokeepupwithallthosedogs.Iknockedon47
Dannysdooronce,andofferedtotakeBellaoroneoftheotherdogsoffDannyshands;Ivealwayslikedthe48
ideaofhavingapetandthinkIcouldprovideagoodhome.Theycertainlywouldntbestuckincagesforhours49
onend inmyhouse. Dannygotreallydefensiveandsaid,Theyhaveaperfectlygoodhomerighthere. Plus50
thesedogsaretoopreciousandtoovaluabletobecaredforbyastranger. Youwouldntknowwhattodowith51
them. Afewdayslater,thepolicecameandsavedthosedogs.52
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DR.TYJOHNSON,WitnessfortheProsecutionIhavealwaysaspiredtobeaveterinarian.IgrewuponafarminTexas,andwassurroundedbycows,chickens,
pigs, horses you name it from sunrise to sundown. Throughout my childhood, we had any number of
domesticatedanimalsaswell:cats,dogs,rabbitsandevenahamsterortwo.Mymotherintendedforthepetsto
work:the
dogs
were
herders
and
the
cats
were
mouse
catchers.
But,
when
they
werent
working,
Iwas
usually
sneakingthemintothehousetosleepinmyroomortogivethemdinnerscraps.Thisinfuriatedmymother,and
usuallynettedmeanextrahourofworkonthefarm,butitwasworthit.
MostofthekidsIgrewupwithwounduptakingovertheirfamilysfarm.Itsjustwhateveryonedidinmytown.
But,IknewIwouldgocrazyifIstayedthere.MuchasIlovedmyparentsandthefarmonwhichIgrewup,Iknew
Ineededadifferentlife.Muchtothechagrinofmyparents,Ifinishedhighschool,andwasacceptedintomyfirst
choiceundergraduateprogramatPennState.Fouryearslater,andafterreceivingmyBSinVeterinaryScience,I
wasaccepted intoCornellUniversitywhich, Imightaddwasjust recognizedasthenations topschool for
VeterinaryMedicine.Ithoroughlyenjoyedmyschooling,andreceivedafirstclasseducationincludingpaidwork
opportunities at local animal shelters and vet practices. After receiving my Doctors of Veterinary Medicine
(DVM),Ifollowed
the
love
of
my
life
to
Maryland,
because
s/he
had
been
offered
an
excellent
job
opportunity
in
MontgomeryCounty.Therest,astheysay,ishistory.Iworkedforalocalvetpracticeuntil1999andthenopened
myownpracticewithaformerschoolcolleague.MCSPCAcallsuponmetoprovideprobonomedicalserviceto
itsrescues.Itypicallyvolunteerabout1012hoursoftimeeachmonth.
Atapproximately4:15pmonThursday,August23,2012apoliceofficerand twoMontgomeryCountyAnimal
Controlofficersnotifiedmethattheywerebringing ineightdogs. THEMCSPCAhasanadhocagreementwith
thecountytotakedogsonacasebycasebasis,whenthecountyfacilityisatfullcapacityorlackstheexpertise
toaddressacomplexcase.Apparently,witheightdogs involvedandmany inneedof treatment, theofficers
decidedtobringthedogstous.
Theeight
dogs
brought
to
us
included
seven
pit
bull
mixed
dogs
and
one
Doberman.
The
officers
informed
me
thattheyhadnot locatedanyevidencethedogswere licensedorthattheyhadtheirrequiredrabiesshots. A
second records checkperformedby theofficers confirmed that all dogsbut theDobermanwereunlicensed.
Basedonmy immediate impression, sixofthedogsappeared tobe insomedistressand inneedofcare,but
noneofthedogsappearedtobeinanyimmediatedanger.
Ourteam immediatelybegantotriagetheneedsofthedogs. Iassessedthedogsconditionswiththehelpof
another staffveterinarian,aveterinaryassistant,and two technicians. Thedogsweregenerallyunkemptand
unhealthy inappearance,except for theDoberman.Twoofpitbullmixeddogshadbitemarksontheir faces,
legs,andbodies,whichraisedsomeobviousconcernsandsomesuspicionsastohowthewoundswerereceived.
Iwas
able
to
determine
from
examination
and
standard
diagnostic
tests
that
two
dogs
had
kennel
cough,
one
hadaurinarytract infection,anotherdogwassuffering fromamammaryglandtumor,andtwodogshadskin
infections.The samedogs thathad skin infectionswerealso suffering fromdiarrhea,whichwas likelycaused
from inadequate,orcomplete lackofmedical treatmentof thewoundscausing theskin infections.Webegan
treatment immediately fortheseconditionsastheybecameknowntous. Forthedogswithbitewounds,we
cleansedtheinjuries, andadministeredantibiotics.Onedog,Mark,requiredsuturingforonewound.Thebite
woundsthedogsdisplayedweremuchmoreseriousthanthosethatnormallyresultfromdogsatplay. Theyalso
weremoreserious thanthewoundsaveterinarianwouldnormallyexpecttoseewhendogs thatarerecently
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introduced, fight toestablishdominance.Thosewounds tend tobe superficial,occurringasdogsgrabatone
another with their mouthswithout clamping down. When veterinarians see puncture wounds, that usually
indicatesthatdogshavebittenfastandhard,clampingtheirjaw. Clampedjawstendtoindicate,inturn,afight
involvingseriousaggressionanddefense.
Ininteracting
with
the
dogs,
the
MCSPCA
staff
and
Ialso
noticed
some
behavioral
issues.
While
the
dogs
were
generallynonaggressivewiththestaffandallowedustoexamineandtreatthemeasily,thedogsshowedsigns
ofaggressionwhenbroughtintocloseproximitytooneanother.TheDobermanwasanexception,howevershe
isaverymildmannereddog,andseemsto lovethecompanyofpeopleandanimals.Thepitbullboxerwasat
theotherendofthespectrum;hewasextremelyaggressivewithourstaffandeasilyagitated.Unfortunately,our
dedicatedbehavioralisthasnotassessedthedogs. Shehasbeenoutonmedical leaveandwewerentableto
findsomeonewithhercredentialstosubstitute. However,veterinarianstakebasiccoursesinanimalbehavioras
partofourtraining. Alloftheveterinarians inour facilitycanrecognizeanddiagnosesimplebehaviorrelated
issues.
Inmyprofessionalopinion,thedogsconditionsandinjurieswerearesultofanimalneglect.Interestingly,more
andmore
attention
is
being
given
to
the
concept
of
animal
hoarding,
whereas
ten
years
ago
most
people
had
neverheardtheterm.Now,itsdepictedinbooks,ontheweb,andeventelevision.Inmostinstancesofreported
animalhoarding,therearemany,manyanimalshundreds,insomeoftheextremecases.Unfortunately,animal
hoardersjustifytheirbehaviorwiththethinkingthatnooneelsewillcarefortheanimals,andthat,iftheyseek
help, the animals will be euthanized. Typically, there is a failure to provide minimal standards of care, and
complete denial of the poor living conditions inwhich the animals are living.Animal hoarding can occur for
various reasons; although research on the topic is in its infancy, it can sometimes begin with the best of
intentionsbyTheRescueHoarderorTheOverwhelmedCaregiverandspiraloutofcontrol.
Themorepeople talkaboutand recognize the signsand symptomsofanimalabuse, thebetter forour four
leggedfriends.Wehaveseenanincreasingnumberofanimalcrueltycasesinthenewsthatsgood,peopleare
talking,observing,
recognizing.
However,
these
are
the
sensationalized
cases.
The
case
of
adog
being
violently
killed ishorrifying shockingbut, the reality is, inanimalhoardingcases, the suffering isenduredbymany
animalsformonthsandmonthsonend.
The Harding case is not nice and neat. There are characteristics that indicate abuse, neglect, hoarding, and
criminal intent. Someof the conditions, injuries,andbehaviorswere suggestiveofat least someof thedogs
beingusedindogfights. Ibasedthisopiniononthebreedsofthedogs,thebitewoundsapparentonthreeofthe
animals thatwere in various stages of healing, and the general neglect of at least six of the eight dogs. In
addition,policeandanimalcontrolofficersinformedmeoftheitemstheyfoundinthehouseharnesses,ropes
withmetalcoils,boardsthatcouldbe latchedtogetherto formadog fightingring,Velcroweights,abreeding
stand,chains,variousanimalsupplements,andvariousmedicalsupplies.Theseitemsarecommonindogfighting
cases.
Thefactis,six,possiblyseven,ofHardingseightdogswerelivinginsubstandardconditions.Itwasonlyamatter
oftimebeforesomethingfarmoreserioushappenedtooneormoreofthem.Fortunatelyforthepups,someone
recognizedthesignsandmadetheappropriatecall,ratherthanturningtheirbackonthesituation.
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DANNYHARDING,DefendantMynameisDannyHarding.Iam21yearsold.Iresideat1642ElmPointLaneinMontgomeryCounty,Maryland. For
thepast2andahalfyears, Ihaveworked forABCPackaging;ajob Ineveranticipatedasmycareer,butamvery
proudtohavenonetheless.
Mychildhoodwasfairlynormal. Iwasraisedbymystayathomemotherinamiddleclasshousehold. Wehadone
dog,aDobermannamedBella,whowehavealwaysregardedasamemberofthefamily.Igotherformy11th
birthday
she isthebestpresent Ihaveevergotten.My father,whobecamevery illandpassedawaywhen Iwas12,had
owned a gym andworked as a personal trainer. Growing up, I idolizedmy father andwanted to follow in his
footsteps.Myaspirationstobeapersonaltrainerandownafitnesscentercameaboutsoonafterhedied.
Upuntilaboutayearago,Iwaswellonthepathtoachievingthesegoals. Ididwellinhighschool,excelledinsports,
wasblessedwithmanyfriends,andhadamotherwhoprovidedeverythingthatshecouldforme. Ihavealwaysbeen
appreciativeofthethingsIwasgivenandmadeaconsciouseffortnottotakeanythingforgranted.Afterhighschool,
Irentedanapartment,tooksomecollegecoursestowardapersonaltrainercertification,andlandedajobatABC.Life
wasgood.
Everythingchangedwhenmymotherwaskilled inacaraccident,during the summerof2011.Oneof thehardest
things I ever had to do was sort through what she left behind. Going through her personal belongings was
excruciating. Iwasverydepressed. I learnedthatshedidntpartwithanythingofmy fathers. Itwasclearshestill
lovedhim,evenafterall theseyears. Idecided tomoveback tomymomshouse mychildhoodhome after she
passed. Inanattempttoholdontothememoriesofbetterdays, Ifound it impossibletothrowawayanythingthat
remindedmeofthosetimes,includingmyparentsbelongings,newspapers,andthelike.Ihadthebestofintentions
Iboxedupalotofthings,andplannedtoputtheminstorage.But,Ijustcouldntseemtodoittheboxesarestill
everywherethroughoutmyhouse.Myfriendsandcolleaguestriedtosupportmethroughthattime,buttheonlyone
whocouldmakemefeelbetterwasBella.Shewasmysalvation.
Despitethe
fact
that
she
is
getting
up
in
age,
Bella
and
Ifrequently
go
for
walks
or
runs.
Shes
always
by
my
side.
Duringthelasteightmonthsorso,Ibecameabitofafosterhomefordogs. Itwasntreallyintentionalatfirst;infact,
ithappenedabitbyaccident.Afriendofminewasmoving,andcouldnttakehertwopitbulls,SashiandSybil,with
her.Iagreedtoadoptthem,becauseIknowwhathappenstoa largemajorityofthepitbullsthatgo intoashelter.
Myfriendhaddevelopedafitnessroutinewiththedogs,andaskedthatIkeepuponit.Shegavemetheregimen,as
wellasmostofherdogtrainingequipment:harnesses,Velcroweightsandafewotheritems.
Peoplewouldseemewalkingthedogs,andtrainingthem inthebackyard. Itwasaconversationstarter,especially
whenIwaswithseveralofthepitbullsandBella.AcoupleofmonthsafterItookinmyfriendspitbulls,aneighbor
approachedmewithTheo,hispitbull boxer.Hewasimpressedwithmydogtrainingroutine,andaskedmetowork
withhisdog,too.BeforeIknewit,Theowasalsolivingwithme,andhisownerhadmovedwithouttellingme.
Bymidsummer,Ihadfourmoredogsinmycareallpitbullsorpitbullmixes.Acoupleofthemcametomepretty
batteredwhethertheywerestreetdogsorsomeoneelsesthrowawaystheyjustsortofshowedupatmyhouse.
Itwaschaosatfirst,Illadmitit.And,expensive.ButIfeltlike,forthefirsttimeinalongtime,Ihadsomedirection,or
purpose, in life .Acoupleofthedogshada toughtimesocializingwithoneanother;somewereaggressive,some
weretimidandsubmissive.IdecidedtobegintrainingthedogsIrescued. Ifigured,ifItrainthem,whynotdosowith
thepurposeofcompetingthem.Aftersomeresearch,IsettledontheLUGNUTSStrongDogcontest,whichisbasically
aweightpulling/strengthcompetition.If,afterconsistenttraining,oneormoreofthedogsappearednottobeofthe
caliberofLUGNUTS,thenIwouldplacethemwithotherfamilies,whowouldloveandcarefortheminthewaythey
deserve.Thatgoalcametoascreechinghaltwhenmydogsweretakenawayfromme.
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I trained thedogsutilizinga rigorousworkout routine. I spentmostofeachmorningbefore Iwent towork
outsidewithmydogs sometimestheywouldbeoutsidetogether,andsometimes Iwouldworkwiththem in
rotation. My dogsweremy athletes, and I trained them like a loving coachwould,which iswhy I bought
numerousdog supplementsand trainingequipment. Becauseofmywork schedule, they spenteight tonine
hourseachdayinkennels.Pitbullmixesneedalotofexercisetobehappy,healthy,andtoalleviateaggression,
sotheworkoutroutinewasonewayIcouldensuretheyweregettingenoughphysicalactivity.
Mynewestrescuesalwaysstartinthebasement,sothatanyinfectionorillnesshasalesserchanceofspreading
tomyotherdogs.Infact,IhadtomoveColeandSunnyupstairsalittlesoonerthanIhadhoped,becauseItook
inmytwomostrecentrescuessoonafterColeandSunny. IthoughtitapropostonamethemScarandMark,
because they came tome in pretty bad shape; in fact, each had a fair number ofwounds and scars that I
assumed resulted from lifeonthestreets. Imadesuretocleansethemsothattheywouldhealproperly,but
theystillhavealotofscars.Ikepttheminthebasement,becauseIhavenotyethadachancetogetthemtothe
veterinarian. Ivedonequiteabitofresearchonprovidingmedicalcareandconditioningforanimalsathome.
Thatcomeswiththeterritoryofdogtraining.Ihavetothinkthat,whiletheyrenotlivinginthemostluxuriousof
conditions,theyrefarbetteroffwithmethanfromwheretheycame.ScarandMarkareinmuchbettershape
nowthenwhentheycametomeafewweeksago.
ThepolicequestionedmeaboutabunchofthingsthesizeofthecratesIwasusing,theequipmenttheyfound,
thevitaminsupplements,eventheplywood inthebasement. Ihave learnedtousewhat isreadilyavailableto
meIhadacoupleofcratesfromwhenBellawasyounger,andIvehadacouplegiventome.Iboughttherest
atyardsalesand thriftstores tokeepmycostsas lowas Ican. Irealizetheyrenot theperfectsize,but they
provideadequate,safespaceforthedogstosleepwhileIamoutofthehouse.Iwouldntdareleavethemoutof
thecrateswhenIamnothome,asacoupleofthemdonotgetalongthatwell;andfrankly,fromexperience,Ive
learned that theyll tear the house up if theyrenot crated.As far as the equipment goes someof itwas
purchased secondhand, and some was given to me, with the exception of the supplements and medical
equipment.
I
only
buy
dietary
and
medical
supplies
from
reputable
companies.
And,
as
far
as
the
plywood
boards
go,
my
Dad
originallybuiltthattoserveasababygateofsortsforBella,whenshewasapuppy.Itgavehermoreroomthan
acrate,especiallyasshegrew,butstillkeptherconfinedandsafewhenwewerenthome.Theboardsstillserve
theirpurpose,and Ive continued touse them. Imnotgoing toapologize for that,justbecause itsnot the
prettiestsetup.
Because the animals that I took in had no knownmedical history, I did notwant to have rabies and other
vaccinesadministered for fearofovervaccination. Ialways takemydogs forwellnesschecks,andplannedto
havetheirmedicalconditionsassessedatthattime.Ofcourse,lifegetsbusy,andIhavenottakenthefourmost
recentrescues.But,myVetknowsme,andmanyofmydogs,andknowsthatIcareabouttheirwellbeing.
Iknow
my
dogs
behave
well
when
Im
not
home.
Ihave
asked
my
neighbors
from
time
to
time
to
let
me
know
if
theyeverhearexcessbarkingornoise,becauseIdonotwanttobeanuisancehereintheneighborhood.Every
timeIhaveeverasked,theyhavesaidtheyrarelyhearanything.Thedogsmaybarkorwhimperonceinawhile,
due toanxiety,because theydont likebeing alone.They thoroughly enjoybeingaroundpeoplewhom they
trust. I have friends over on occasion; in the beginning, a couple ofmy new adoptionswere very skittish
aroundthem.But,astheybecamefamiliarwithmyfriends,thepupswerehappytoseethemwaggingtheir
tails,andgivingplentyof licks.Wellplaypokerorrummy,sitaroundtalking,and letthepupswrestlearound
witheachotherandus,whichtheylove.Itstheirplaytime,andIguess,youcouldsayoursaswell.Icompletely
resentthefactthattheyaretryingtomakeacriminalcaseoutofasocialhour.
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DR.TAYLORMARTIN,WitnessfortheDefenseMynameisDr.TaylorMartin. IamalicensedveterinarianwithWhiskersAnimalHospitalinRockville,Maryland.
Iamboardcertified in internalmedicine. Iam34yearsold. Iammarriedand liveat367OliveLane inSilver
Spring.
IearnedmyDoctorofVeterinaryMedicinefromtheVirginiaMarylandRegionalCollegeofVeterinaryMedicine.
I completedmy internalmedicine residency at theUniversity ofPennsylvaniaRyanVeterinaryHospital. Ive
workedatWhiskersforfouryears.
Ourhospitalandkennelarestaffedbyateamofveterinarians,veterinaryassistants,andtechnicians. Manyof
our veterinarians have specialized training. We pride ourselves on being a regional and national leader in
veterinarymedicine and animal care. We provide stateoftheartdiagnosis and treatment, andwework as
advocatesforanimalprotection. Weofferemergencyservicestwentyfourhoursaday,sevendaysaweek. We
havefulldiagnosticservicesonsite,and inadditiontoveterinarymedicalcare,weofferarangeofbehavioral
services. Weareconsideredaboutiquepracticeamongprivatefacilities.
Becausemy caseload ishigh, Ihad toconsultour recordsatWhiskers inorder to rememberDannyHarding.
DannysDoberman,Bella,hasbeenapatientofours since shewasapuppy. Inaddition toBella,Dannyhas
broughtinthreeotherdogsallpitbullmixes.WehaverecordsforthefollowingdogsownedbyDanny: Sashi,
Theo,Sybil,andBella.IrecallaconversationthatwehadduringDannysmostrecentvisitabouttherescuesthat
s/hetakes in.Asamatterofprocedure,wetalkwithourpatientsownersandadvisethemonpropercarefor
informal adoptions or rescues.Danny specifically thankedme for the information, and said that s/hewas
trainingthedogs for theLUGNUTSStrongDogContest toprovethatsomeoneelsesthrowawayscouldbe
champions,too.
Dannybrought thepitbulls toourhospital for relativelyminor injuriesand illnessesoveraperiodof several
monthsthefirst
in
February
and
the
most
recent
in
May.
Danny
explained
that
the
dogs
were
rescues.
Id
considerthemadoptions,however,sinceDannyknewthepreviousowners. Thedogswerewellbehavedwith
our staff. While they displayed some symptoms of aggression towards other dogswhen brought into close
proximitywiththem,this isnotunusualwhenagroupofdogsaresuddenlyforcedtosharethesamespaceor
home.
Ourfacilitydidnotadministerrabiesshots,anecessarystepinlicensingdogs,sinceDannyinformedusthatthe
shotshad been administeredpreviously and the recordswouldbe forwarded. Whiskersnever received any
records;however,thiswouldhavebeenpursuedonorabouttheanniversaryoftheeachdogsinitialvisits. Itis
ourpracticetosendreminderstoourpatientsownersregardingvaccinationsandsuch.
Accordingto
our
medical
records,
Theo
was
brought
to
our
office
in
February
and
treated
for
kennel
cough
and
a
skininfectiontwoverycommonillnessesamongdogs.WhenTheowasbroughtinacouplemonthslater,itwas
forbitewounds. Thewoundswerentlifethreatening,buttheywereindicativeofadogfight. Mynotesindicate
thatIquestionedDannyabouttheoriginofthewounds,asveterinariansaretrainedtodo. Dannyexplainedthat
thedogwasinamultianimalhome,andthatoneoftheotherrecentrescuedogswasnotsocializingwell. The
dogshadgotteninafight.
Danny seemed tobeoverextendedwith somanydogs in thehouse, and I recommended that someof the
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adoptionsberelinquishedtoarespectablenokillshelter.IalsorecommendedthatDannytakeinfewerdogs
in the future, to which Danny seemed taken aback, offended even. Rehabilitating that many animals
requiresexperience,knowledge,time,patience,andseriousresources. Manypeopledontunderstandthe
timeandfinancialcommitment. Dannysheartseemedtobeintherightplace,butIwasntsures/hecould
givetheanimalsthecaretheyneeded.
ThatwasthelastmedicalvisitDannymadetoWhiskers.
Ivereviewedtheevidencecollectedinthiscasebypolice,whichincludedharnesses,ropeswithmetalcoils,
Velcroweights,abreeding stand,chains,andplyboards,aswellasMuscleUpPowderandK9 Super
Fuelanimalsupplements,BetadineSurgicalScrubwoundcleanser,steroidslabeledfordoguse,andIVs. It
ismyprofessionalopinionthattheseitemscouldallreasonablybepossessedbysomeonewhoisengagedin
dogtraining This isespecially true if thatpersonwas inclinedbyeithernatureornecessity toadminister
basicmedicalattentiontotheanimalsathome.
IdontknowDannyscircumstances,butitcanbequiteexpensivetocareforpets. Itisevenmoreexpensive
tocare
for
rescue
animals.
The
bills
for
recue
dogs
could
total
several
thousand
dollars
in
any
given
year.
I
alsofearthatmysuggestiontogiveupsomeanimalsmayhavescaredDannyfromreturningtoWhiskersor
anyotherfacility. DannymayhavebelievedthatsomeofthedogswereindangerofbeingtakenawayifI,
oranotherveterinarian,believedtheanimalswereneglected.
Idonotbelieve,basedonmyprofessionalexperience,thatDannywasengagedindogfighting. Theinjuries
and illnesses I treated inDannysdogswereascommonas thecoldvirus inhumans. Dogfightingyields
horribleinjurieseventothesupposedwinner.ThesearenotthetypesofinjuriesthatDannysdogshad.
TheonlytimeIwasreallyconcernedwaswiththebitewound,buttheexplanationthatDannyofferedwas
completelyplausible.
Asan