News
 PeTA
Felony Animal-Cruelty Trial Gets Underway
More than a year and a half after their arrest,
the felony trial of two PeTA employees began today with jury
empanelment at the Hertford County Superior Court in Winton,
NC. On June 15, 2005, PeTA employees Andrew Benjamin Cook
and Adria Joy Hinkle were arrested when police spotted them
dumping trash bags containing dead dogs and cats behind a
shopping center in Ahoskie, NC. The defendants are each charged
with 21 counts of Federal Animal Cruelty, seven counts of
Littering, and three counts of Obtaining Property by False
Pretenses. District Attorney Valerie Mitchell Asbell is prosecuting
the case on behalf of the state of North Carolina. Hinkle
is being represented by local attorney Jack Warmack, Blair
Brown of Washington, DC and Lisa Stevenson. Cook's general
counsel is Mark Edwards of Durham, NC. The Honorable Cy Grant
is presiding. During empanelment proceedings, Judge Grant
told potential jurors to anticipate being in court through
Wednesday or Thursday of next week. Eight jurors were empanelled
today, and it is expected that the rest will be empanelled
Tuesday morning, with opening statements being made as soon
as Tuesday afternoon. About 60 names were read by the District
Attorney as possible witnesses.
The defendants were arrested while in possession of a PeTA-owned
van. Within the vehicle, police found an additional 13 dead
animals and a homemade "kill kit," allegedly containing
lethal drugs that neither individual was licensed to possess.
According to press reports, evidence suggests this type of
activity may have been going on for years.
In a press release, NABR President Frankie Trull said, "We
believe that individuals who financially support PeTA out
of sincere compassion for animals would be shocked to learn
that their contributions could be funding this type of egregious
activity, rather than saving healthy animals...While hypocrisy
has long been a hallmark of PeTA's activities, the alleged
killing and dumping of highly adoptable puppies and kittens
is appalling and sickening behavior that must cast serious
doubt on the legitimacy of PeTA, and their true objectives."
A timeline of news reports related to this case can be found at the following web address: www.fbresearch.org/deathvan.
Related Stories:
The Charlotte Observer PETA trial opens in animal deaths
Associated Press Trial scheduled this week for Va. PETA workers
Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald (N.C) PETA trial begins Monday
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