Dog-Beating Case Puts System on Trial

* If you conspire to commit a crime and the police kill your accomplice, you are guilty of murder, not the police. Granted Alan Roberts is not the police, but the same doctrine should still apply here (“Mauled Boy’s Dad Acquitted in O.C. Dog Beating,” Oct. 17). Roberts acted in protection of his child and others who may encounter the animal.

We do not need to make Roberts an example. Humans beating dogs is not a prevalent problem. Dogs attacking people is.

DERYL ROBINSON

Huntington Beach

* Re: The acquittal of the individual accused of beating a dog to death in front of its terrified owner. Let’s skip the nonsense about “it’s only a dog” and get to the serious issues. An individual who admitted to a dreadfully violent act is cheered by his supporters in a court of law as the jury’s verdict is read. The jury left court without speaking to reporters. The jury ignored the law. The jury ignored the testimony of eyewitnesses [and] that of a police officer.

I think the question we need to ask ourselves is how can we put the brakes on all types of violence in this society with jurors like this polluting our justice system?

LA JUAN HORTON

Costa Mesa

* Regarding your story on Oct. 18, “Case Isn’t Over for Beaten Dog’s Owner.” I can understand April Wyld’s assertion that the jury acted on emotion rather than the facts.

The facts in the case were undisputed, in that the defendant clearly admitted what he had done, but tried to explain his reasoning as to “why” he did what he did.

The only deliberations this jury should have considered was “Did he do it?” and did this action constitute “cruelty” as defined by the law, regardless of “why” this act took place. I fully understand the emotional impact of a jury hearing how this animal mauled his son.

When people clearly ignore fact in favor of emotion (as is clearly allowed by law) we as a people lose.

I agree with many who advocate a review and redesign of a jury system that is centuries old, and jury instructions that allow such decisions to be rendered.

CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN

Foothill Ranch