FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – The Franklin County man who confessed to killing his family’s two dogs back in February has been found guilty of all charges against him.
The jury deliberated for about an hour and a half on the charges including two felony counts of animal cruelty and a misdemeanor for filing a false police report, which he pled no contest to on Wednesday.
During Wednesday’s trial, the Commonwealth’s attorney argued that Michel admitted to shooting and killing the dogs.
The defense said Michel suffered from ‘dissociation’ in the moment because of his PTSD.
The defense called expert criminal psychologist, Sharon Kelley, who said Michel was previously diagnosed with PTSD by the VA. She also said people with PTSD are more likely to dissociate from situations, which is what Michel told her happened when he killed the two dogs.
Prosecutors argued Michel told investigators he did it to save his marriage because the dogs were separating him and his wife.
Following the guilty verdict, 10 News spoke with his wife at the time, Rhonda Michel, who didn’t want to go on camera but said this has been a heartbreaking experience.
Anita Scott, the Director of the Franklin County Humane Society, helped with the search after Michel initially told police his dogs had been stolen. She said the case has been tough since the start.
“We were trying very hard to find who had taken these two dogs,” Scott said. “To find them dead on the side of the road and then to find out that Terry Michel killed them, it’s just been emotional from the beginning.”
Michel could serve up to ten years behind bars, or five years for each dog.
“To know that what their last moments were and the fear that they had in those last moments,” Scott said. “Absolutely, we are so grateful for this verdict.”
The pre-sentence report is scheduled for November 2 at 11:30 a.m.
