A cockfighting raid in Medaryville Thursday has led to the removal of nearly 100 birds. According to the ASPCA website, investigators found roosters living in makeshift cages. Continue reading
Suspected Cockfighting Ring Raided in Medaryville
Year in Review – Part Three
We continue to count down the top ten stories of 2011.
Starke County moved into the national spotlight when the new Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN, featured a series on “Women Behind Bars.” One of the women featured was Lisa Owens, who, a decade earlier, had taken the life of her husband in Knox. Owens told of life behind bars and her hope for early release from prison for the shooting. That wish was granted when Owens received an early release. She was paroled into the custody of a sister, who did not live in the county. The story evoked many emotional comments on the WKVI Discussion Board arguing the pros and cons of her early release.
Court Dates Needed for Ten Cock Fighting Attendants
At least ten of the people arrested in the cock fighting raid that occurred in Starke County in late February still have not had their day in Knox City Court. Those cases where the defendants announced in court that they were securing attorneys have yet to be settled. According to court documents, those defendants are trying to work out settlements through their attorneys with the prosecutor’s office. If that is not worked out, trial dates will be set and those could occur in July.
Cock Fighting Attendees Handed Sentences in Knox City Court
Thirty-three cock fight enthusiasts were sentenced in Knox City Court Thursday. The men were charged with a misdemeanor count of Attending an Animal Fighting Contest. They attended a cock fight in Starke County in February.
Judge Charles Hasnerl fined the men $200 apiece, plus $180 in restitution to the Starke County Humane Society for putting the roosters down, and $164 in court costs. Each individual was also given a 12 month suspended sentence.
Cock Fighting Attendees to Appear in Knox City Court
Knox City Court will be a busy place today. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. this morning dozens of men charged with Attending an Animal Fighting Contest will be in Judge Charles Hasnerl’s court to be sentenced. The men have been charged with the misdemeanor offense for attending a cock fight contest on February 26th northeast of North Judson.
Thirty Defendants Charged in Cock Fighting Incident Appear in Knox City Court
Thirty people charged with Attending an Animal Fighting Contest appeared before Knox City Court Judge Charles Hasnerl Monday evening. The charges stem from a cock fighting raid in Starke County on February 26th. Attending an animal fighting contest is a Class A Misdemeanor. Twenty-three of those charged plead guilty and seven plead not guilty.
Police Arrest 76 Involved in Cock Fighting
It was a scene reminiscent of an old time western movie. Police from throughout the County and State rounded up 76 individuals involved in “cock fighting”. The arrests were made on Saturday morning at 0480 North 100 West in Starke County.
Law enforcement officers were responding to an anonymous tip.
“The Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous tip of animal fighting contests out at a residence on 100 West,” stated Starke County Chief Deputy, Bill Dulin. “Along with the Sheriff’s Department, we responded with the Indiana Conservation Units, State Police, Knox City Police, and North Judson units. When we got there, we noticed 10 or 15 vehicles and when we approached, 50 to 60 people took off running toward a river in an open field.”
