Man faces multiple felony charges following dog death

John Redmond

Case encounters hurdle as alleged domestic violence victim claims she not assaulted

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

HART — A 37-year-old Pentwater man was arraigned in Oceana County’s 79th District Court Monday, April 13, on multiple charges stemming from an alleged domestic assault that resulted in the stabbing death of the victim’s pit bull.

John Paul Redmond is charged with two felony counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, one felony of assault with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor of malicious destruction of personal property less than $200 — a cell phone.

Redmond fled the scene on foot, which put the nearby Pentwater Public School campus in “secure mode,” and was captured by police after about 45 minutes on the run.

The alleged assault occurred in the 100 block of Clymer Street Wednesday morning, April 8.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that the alleged suspect had fled the scene on foot,” stated a press release from the Pentwater Police Department. “The female victim had received minor injuries. One dog had been killed during the incident after receiving knife wounds from the suspect.

“Due to the proximity to Pentwater Public Schools, the school was placed in ‘secure mode’ while the officers attempted to locate the suspect.

Redmond was located in the 600 block of South Hancock Street and taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Oceana County Jail, where he was lodged on outstanding warrants. 

However, the alleged victim in the case is presently claiming that she was not assaulted.

“The alleged victim was at my office this morning at approximately 8:30 a.m. and made a statement to me about the allegations,” said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. “I have relayed that statement to the investigating agency who may need to reinterview people. My office, along with the input of the police, will reevaluate the admissible evidence to determine whether we can proceed or not.”

“I do not have any information to suggest medical treatment was needed,” he said regarding the victim.

“Domestic violence cases are difficult,” said Bizon. “The cycle of violence is real, and we deal with victims who do not always recognize or accept that they are abused because it is their normal experience. They often have reactions that are different from what the general population wants the reaction to be. There are some laws and rules that have developed to help deal with those realities, but we still have to be able to prove the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. There is also truth that the limits of the justice system are frustrating for some people who experience abuse and the system’s abilities and limitations.”

Redmond is not being charged with animal cruelty, because he was defending himself against the dog.

“We have to follow the law — the law includes the right to self defense,” said Bizon. “There are rules for how and when to apply the laws of self defense. While receiving information from the police and reviewing the investigation, I was reviewing the statutes and jury instructions on the matter. The evidence and facts surrounding the actions toward and involving the dog fall within the parameters of self defense. If a colorable claim of self defense is raised, the prosecutor has to disprove self defense beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence available does not do that. Two of the charges applied are more severe and one is equal to any charge available for the acts against the dog. While the emotional reaction to that act is profound, the law does not support a criminal charge. We looked at this hard and serious and I don’t see an ethical and effective road past self defense with what we have.

“The investigation shows the dog did attack the defendant,” said the prosecutor. “He had dog bites on him. It is a little bit unclear as to the exact timing, whether it was contemporaneous or after the attack on the victim while he was leaving, but under the laws of self defense that would not make a difference.”

Redmond’s bail was set at $50,000/cash/surety. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary exam, April 28.

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