Retired State Trooper pleads not guilty in German Shepard shooting case
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: October 21, 2011
The Retired State Trooper who shot and killed the German Shepard, Shadow appeared in court today for an arraignment.
Anthony Randazzo shot and killed Shadow back on August 24.
Randazzo is claiming self defense, but Shadow's owner, Bernard Sperfeld says it was because of an altercation he had with a woman prior to the incident.
He pleaded not guilty Friday morning to one felony and misdemeanor charge.
Bernard Sperfeld is still grieving over the loss of his companion, Shadow, and Friday morning he sat in Oneida County Court anxiously awaiting to hear what charges Anthony Randazzo would face.
Those charges are aggravated assault, which is a felony, as well as overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, which is a misdemeanor charge.
Randazzo's attorney, Les Lewis says his client shot the dog in self-defense when it was coming at him.
"According to my client, the dog was running at full speed. He does have a license to carry a pistol. He had a pistol in his pocket. Before the dog got right upon him, he pulled the gun out and shot the dog, and it was either that or engage the dog in hand to hand combat," said Lewis.
But, there is a troubling issue for the self-defense claim.
"It puts on the defense the burden to explain why it is that there are shots at two different angles. My premise is that the dog was shot once and stopped, so even if there was a threat, it was extinguished after that first shot," said Special Prosecutor in the case, Christopher Pelli.
Pelli has offered the defendant to plead to the misdemeanor count. He says this would give him a criminal history, but not a felony criminal history.
"He would have to pay $1000 fine, he would have to pay restitution to Mr. Sperfeld. He would have to agree to a permanent order of protection being entered in favor of Mr. Sperfeld, and he would have to surrender his pistol permit," said Pelli.
Defense Attorney, Les Lewis says he does not believe his client will accept this plea deal.
Although Sperfeld says he feels better after hearing Randazzo's charges, it still does not bring back Shadow.
"Shadow will be forever in my heart, but a big chunk of my heart is gone," said Sperfeld.
Lewis says he believes this case will go the limit, including a trial.
Randazzo is set to appear back in court on November 7.
Anthony Randazzo shot and killed Shadow back on August 24.
Randazzo is claiming self defense, but Shadow's owner, Bernard Sperfeld says it was because of an altercation he had with a woman prior to the incident.
He pleaded not guilty Friday morning to one felony and misdemeanor charge.
Bernard Sperfeld is still grieving over the loss of his companion, Shadow, and Friday morning he sat in Oneida County Court anxiously awaiting to hear what charges Anthony Randazzo would face.
Those charges are aggravated assault, which is a felony, as well as overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, which is a misdemeanor charge.
Randazzo's attorney, Les Lewis says his client shot the dog in self-defense when it was coming at him.
"According to my client, the dog was running at full speed. He does have a license to carry a pistol. He had a pistol in his pocket. Before the dog got right upon him, he pulled the gun out and shot the dog, and it was either that or engage the dog in hand to hand combat," said Lewis.
But, there is a troubling issue for the self-defense claim.
"It puts on the defense the burden to explain why it is that there are shots at two different angles. My premise is that the dog was shot once and stopped, so even if there was a threat, it was extinguished after that first shot," said Special Prosecutor in the case, Christopher Pelli.
Pelli has offered the defendant to plead to the misdemeanor count. He says this would give him a criminal history, but not a felony criminal history.
"He would have to pay $1000 fine, he would have to pay restitution to Mr. Sperfeld. He would have to agree to a permanent order of protection being entered in favor of Mr. Sperfeld, and he would have to surrender his pistol permit," said Pelli.
Defense Attorney, Les Lewis says he does not believe his client will accept this plea deal.
Although Sperfeld says he feels better after hearing Randazzo's charges, it still does not bring back Shadow.
"Shadow will be forever in my heart, but a big chunk of my heart is gone," said Sperfeld.
Lewis says he believes this case will go the limit, including a trial.
Randazzo is set to appear back in court on November 7.
