Animal ‘justice will be served,’ AG Healey promises Westport

This after prosecutor suggests probation all around in huge Westport case

By Bruce Burdett
Posted 11/24/17

This after prosecutor suggests probation for all in huge Westport case

Animal rights advocates in Westport say they remain worried but take some hope from the latest in what they call mixed …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Animal ‘justice will be served,’ AG Healey promises Westport

This after prosecutor suggests probation all around in huge Westport case

Posted

Animal rights advocates in Westport say they remain worried but take some hope from the latest in what they call mixed messages out of the Attorney General’s office regarding the American Legion Highway animal cruelty case.

Members of Stop the Insanity, Westport, say they were stunned by what they heard in Fall River Superior Court on Friday, Nov. 18, at the start of pretrial for defendant Richard Medeiros, owner of the 71-acre tenant “farm” at which over 1,200 animals were rescued or found dead in July 2016.

She was upset by by two developments that day, said Constance Gee, one of those present.

First, it was revealed that the person who had been preparing to lead the state’s case had left and been replaced by a prosecutor who is relatively new to the case which features some 27 defendants and mountains of evidence collected by police and other agencies and organizations.

Next they said that, despite earlier state promises that serious penalties would be pursued, the prosecutor “told the judge that the AG’s office plans to ‘recommend probation across the board,” one person posted on the Stop the Insanity Facebook page. “Yes, that's right, the AG is not pressing for any other penalty than probation for these monsters.”

They also called on people to contact Attorney General Maura Healey’s office to express their outrage.

“We will not stand for probation! Call now to express your rage! (617)727-2200! Millions of our tax dollars have been spent investigating this case, the evidence is damning, and we have an animal cruelty law that must be enforced!” one post stated.

Last week came a reply from Healey’s office. Her chief of staff, Mike Firestone sent this message …

“The Westport Farm case is the largest investigation of animal cruelty in the history of New England. We have alleged that hundreds of animals suffered and died at the hands of Richard Medeiros and his tenants. We are committed to seeing that justice is served.” – Chloe Gotsis, deputy press secretary.

“Because of your emails, phone calls, letters and participation on this page, we were contacted by … Maura Healey's office, today,” an organizer of the protest wrote. “They have heard us and know that we are here.”

But that was tempered with, “Will Maura Healey keep her promise?”

The talk of probation also struck a nerve coming closely after another recent Westport case in which two defendants, one of them a town hall employee, received probation after being accused of moving out and leaving their pet dogs, cats and ferrets behind to die of thirst and starvation.

All of the defendants in the American Legion Highway case have already pleaded not guilty to the animal charges against them, including Mr. Medeiros who faces 21 counts, one for every lot he rented out where animals were kept.

While no plea deals were struck Nov. 18, both sides offered some indication of where they are headed.

Karen Augeri Benson, Mr. Medeiros’ attorney, said as she did at the arraignment that it is her intent to exonerate her client who, she said months ago, is being tried in the court of public opinion.

Mr. Medeiros’ pre trial was continued until January 30. Other defendants, all of whom are said to have rented lots and kept animals on the property, are due for court appearances on January 5, February 15 and possibly other dates.

And as at the arraignment, lawyers continued to contend that their clients, some of whom requested translators, don’t understand the reasons for the charges against them, Ms. Gee said.

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.