Monday, January 23, 2012
Monday, January 17, 2011
January 12, 2011 - Judge Throws Out The Case Against Chris Comins
Judge Throws Out The Case!
Immediate News Release
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Orlando, Florida
Wednesday, after a long two and a half year battle to defend his actions, Christopher Comins was acquitted of all charges. Just before noon in the Orange County, Florida Courthouse, Judge Bob LeBlanc handed down his ruling after the Prosecution presented all of their witnesses and rested their case.
Chris's attorney, Chandler Muller made a Motion to Dismiss. After further debate, the Judge handed down his judgment based on the failure of the State to present a case for animal abuse. "He (Chris) was asked to shoot the dogs (by the cattle and land owners). He did not go into the field to abuse animals. You have failed to prove otherwise", Judge LeBlanc told the Prosecution. He further stated, "This was not someone who was torturing an animal".
It wasn't until the May 19th, 2008 video hit the internet that the event was "noticed" by opportunist. No charges were brought the day of the incident or even after the original investigation by Ag Corporal Walker. It was only after his case concluded that Chris "acted within the legal scope of the law", that it was suddenly snatched out of his hands and turned over to another investigator. The second Ag investigator, after an intense three month investigation, came to the conclusion that Chris would be charged with one count of misdemeanor animal abuse charges.
Then, suddenly and without notice to the investigator, the one charge would be upgraded to two felony animal abuse counts. Chris was arrested at his home, Thanksgiving morning 2008.
Friends and those who looked beyond the garbage and lies posted on the internet, knew the facts of the case. We stood by Chris throughout this most difficult time for him and his family.
Chris acted within the law that day. He did not want to go out into the field. He is not a hunter and had never before even shot at an animal. After he found out that what he believed to be wolves, turned out to be dogs and that the dogs actually belonged to someone, Chris was heartbroken. He has owned dogs all his life. He like most people that day believed that the dogs were wolves. But whether they were wolves, dogs or coyotes, he did what he believed to be right.
The ordeal lasted over two and a half years. The Defense did not waiver. During a status hearing in April 2009, the Prosecution offered Chris a plea bargain- cut the two felony counts to two misdemeanors, with restrictions. Chris and his council rejected the deal.
Just prior to the trial, after witnesses were interviewed, the Prosecution offered yet another plea deal- drop the charges to one misdemeanor count, with restrictions. Once again, Chris rejected the offer. The Defense wanted all charges dropped and Chris's name completely cleared. Wednesday the law agreed.
Judge LeBlanc ended the trial with, "I believe the state has not proven it's burden in this case and I'm granting a Judgement of Acquittal. This case is dismissed."
We wish to thank all the people who have sought the facts in this case and stood by our friends' side. We are thankful that the truth finally won out.
767.03 Good defense for killing dog.
In any action for damages or of a criminal prosecution against any person for killing or injuring a dog, satisfactory proof that said dog had been or was killing any animal included in the definitions of "domestic animal" and "livestock" as provided by s. 585.01 shall constitute a good defense to either of such actions.
History.--s. 1, ch. 4978, 1901; GS 3144; RGS 4959; CGL 7046; s. 1, ch. 79-315; s. 2, ch. 94-339.
Sections: Previous 767.01 767.02 767.03 767.04 767.05 767.07 767.10 767.11 767.12 767.13 767.14 767.15 767.16 Next
Last modified: March 26, 2010
Immediate News Release
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Orlando, Florida
Wednesday, after a long two and a half year battle to defend his actions, Christopher Comins was acquitted of all charges. Just before noon in the Orange County, Florida Courthouse, Judge Bob LeBlanc handed down his ruling after the Prosecution presented all of their witnesses and rested their case.
Chris's attorney, Chandler Muller made a Motion to Dismiss. After further debate, the Judge handed down his judgment based on the failure of the State to present a case for animal abuse. "He (Chris) was asked to shoot the dogs (by the cattle and land owners). He did not go into the field to abuse animals. You have failed to prove otherwise", Judge LeBlanc told the Prosecution. He further stated, "This was not someone who was torturing an animal".
It wasn't until the May 19th, 2008 video hit the internet that the event was "noticed" by opportunist. No charges were brought the day of the incident or even after the original investigation by Ag Corporal Walker. It was only after his case concluded that Chris "acted within the legal scope of the law", that it was suddenly snatched out of his hands and turned over to another investigator. The second Ag investigator, after an intense three month investigation, came to the conclusion that Chris would be charged with one count of misdemeanor animal abuse charges.
Then, suddenly and without notice to the investigator, the one charge would be upgraded to two felony animal abuse counts. Chris was arrested at his home, Thanksgiving morning 2008.
Friends and those who looked beyond the garbage and lies posted on the internet, knew the facts of the case. We stood by Chris throughout this most difficult time for him and his family.
Chris acted within the law that day. He did not want to go out into the field. He is not a hunter and had never before even shot at an animal. After he found out that what he believed to be wolves, turned out to be dogs and that the dogs actually belonged to someone, Chris was heartbroken. He has owned dogs all his life. He like most people that day believed that the dogs were wolves. But whether they were wolves, dogs or coyotes, he did what he believed to be right.
The ordeal lasted over two and a half years. The Defense did not waiver. During a status hearing in April 2009, the Prosecution offered Chris a plea bargain- cut the two felony counts to two misdemeanors, with restrictions. Chris and his council rejected the deal.
Just prior to the trial, after witnesses were interviewed, the Prosecution offered yet another plea deal- drop the charges to one misdemeanor count, with restrictions. Once again, Chris rejected the offer. The Defense wanted all charges dropped and Chris's name completely cleared. Wednesday the law agreed.
Judge LeBlanc ended the trial with, "I believe the state has not proven it's burden in this case and I'm granting a Judgement of Acquittal. This case is dismissed."
We wish to thank all the people who have sought the facts in this case and stood by our friends' side. We are thankful that the truth finally won out.
767.03 Good defense for killing dog.
In any action for damages or of a criminal prosecution against any person for killing or injuring a dog, satisfactory proof that said dog had been or was killing any animal included in the definitions of "domestic animal" and "livestock" as provided by s. 585.01 shall constitute a good defense to either of such actions.
History.--s. 1, ch. 4978, 1901; GS 3144; RGS 4959; CGL 7046; s. 1, ch. 79-315; s. 2, ch. 94-339.
Sections: Previous 767.01 767.02 767.03 767.04 767.05 767.07 767.10 767.11 767.12 767.13 767.14 767.15 767.16 Next
Last modified: March 26, 2010
News Articles - Chris Comins Acquitted of Charges
WDBO News
Judge Throws Out Case Against Dog Shooter
http://wdbo.com/localnews/2011/01/judge-throws-out-case-against.html
WFTV
Man Who Shot 2 Dogs Cleared Of All Charges
http://www.wftv.com/news/26466026/detail.html
Orlando Sentinel
Judge Orders Acquittal In Dog Shooting Case
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-01-12/news/os-shooting-dogs-trial-day-two-20110111_1_dog-owner-dogs-shot-christopher-comins
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County Man Acquitted In Shootings
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-01-12/news/os-dogs-shooting-man-acquitted-20110112_1_siberian-huskies-christopher-comins-orange-county-man
Trading Charts
Man Acquitted In Siberian Huskies Shooting
http://news.tradingcharts.com/futures/4/9/151499994.html
Fox 8 News Cleveland
Orange County Man Acquitted In Shootings Of Siberian Huskies
http://www.fox8.com/topic/os-dogs-shooting-man-acquitted-20110112,0,1416683,print.story
Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/os-dogs-shooting-man-acquitted-20110112,0,4151983,print.story
AllVoices
http://www.allvoices.com/news/7868569-orange-circuit-judge-acquits-man-in-siberian-huskies-shooting
WFTV
Testimony Continues In Dog Shooting Trial
January 11, 2011
http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/26455271/detail.html
Judge Throws Out Case Against Dog Shooter
http://wdbo.com/localnews/2011/01/judge-throws-out-case-against.html
WFTV
Man Who Shot 2 Dogs Cleared Of All Charges
http://www.wftv.com/news/26466026/detail.html
Orlando Sentinel
Judge Orders Acquittal In Dog Shooting Case
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-01-12/news/os-shooting-dogs-trial-day-two-20110111_1_dog-owner-dogs-shot-christopher-comins
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County Man Acquitted In Shootings
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-01-12/news/os-dogs-shooting-man-acquitted-20110112_1_siberian-huskies-christopher-comins-orange-county-man
Trading Charts
Man Acquitted In Siberian Huskies Shooting
http://news.tradingcharts.com/futures/4/9/151499994.html
Fox 8 News Cleveland
Orange County Man Acquitted In Shootings Of Siberian Huskies
http://www.fox8.com/topic/os-dogs-shooting-man-acquitted-20110112,0,1416683,print.story
Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/os-dogs-shooting-man-acquitted-20110112,0,4151983,print.story
AllVoices
http://www.allvoices.com/news/7868569-orange-circuit-judge-acquits-man-in-siberian-huskies-shooting
WFTV
Testimony Continues In Dog Shooting Trial
January 11, 2011
http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/26455271/detail.html
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Christopher Comins - A man who stands up when others can't or won't.
In childhood we'd all play the game called telephone, where we would sit in a circle and tell the person to our right a story line. Each person would then pass along the story until it came back to the original storyteller. It would of course change as it went along, and the end story would be nothing like the original. It would be completely exaggerated, with important parts left out, and parts added in.
As adults, we tend to forget how easy it is for this to happen to us. We read a blog or a news article, picking up bits and pieces here and there, and we form our own idea of the story. We tend to believe the written word and take it for truth, no matter where the source. We form opinions and take a strong stance. All without really knowing what the original facts are.
On May 19th, such an event took place. What would have normally been written off as an unfortunate incident, turned into an aggressive slander campaign to destroy a good man's reputation, business and life. To this day, the State's Attorney's office has still not decided whether to file charges against Christopher Comins. The two dogs involved are alive and have recovered from their injuries. The man whose neglect caused all of this, remains persistent in fueling the fires against Christopher Comins. This has resulted in numerous death threats against both Christopher Comins and his family.
Posted in this blog are several items of interest including the incident report from the Orange County Sherriff's Department, letters and other important facts.
We've set up a second blog with more research, facts and links to information that supports Chris and the actions he took in May. Please visit -
It's time to set the record straight!
At least 25 contacts were made to the Authorities before the first shot was fired.
Subject: Contacts to Authorities on May 19th prior to 1st Shot Fired
May 19th Authorities alerted to wolves / dogs
#1
Kelly C.
911 call to Operator Donna..."It looks like coyotes, I don't know what
they look like, but there's two of them, in a cow pasture and they're,
I guess they're trying to get the cows. I don't know if there's a baby
calf in there that you know the cows are protecting. I can see the
dogs or whatever they are... you know..."
#2, 3, 4
Kelly C.
"...this has been the fourth phone number that I have been transferred
to. So I'm not making any more calls. If somebody wants to save the
cows. I don't know who to call."
Wendy Farah
# 5
Called 9-1-1 on 05/19/2008 from cellular phone about two large Huskies
running through her neighborhood, routed through Orlando Police
Department dispatch. Farah stated she became concerned since there
are so many children in the neighborhood so she contacted 911 (Orlando
Police Department).
#6
OPD later referred call to Orange County Animal Services as a dog
complaint.
#7
First call (#2785) received by OCSO Communications Center at 1908 hrs,
05/19/2008 closed at 1922 hrs. SR 417 and Narcoosee Rd. Unknown male
caller advised two wolves attacking cows.
#8
Call was referred to FWC through emergency number.
#9
Second call (#2766) received by OCSO Communications Center at 1912
hrs, 05/19/2008, closed at 1927 hrs. SR 417 and Narcoosee Rd. Caller
advised two large wolves attacking cows in pasture north of the SR 417
on Narcoossee Rd. Requests deputy to check area. Unknown Male caller.
#10
Orange County Fire Department Lieutenant Benjamin Schmidt at Station #
62.
He stated an unknown female came to the station at approximately 1700
hrs and informed them about two wolves in the pasture chasing cattle.
Schmidt stated he instructed the female to contact Orange County
Animal Services for assistance.
#11
Jakubowicz stated a woman came to the station and rang the bell and
informed them that there were, "a couple of wolves or coyotes or
something are circling the cows in the field behind you." Jakubowicz
stated they (fire department personnel) went out back and noticed to
the north there were a couple of dogs circling a bunch of cows and
calves.
He stated that after the shooting started, they (fire department
personnel) thought they needed to call the Orange County Sheriff's
Office. Jakubowicz stated he was outside watching the incident, on
and off for approximately
forty or fifty minutes.
#12
Orange County Fire Department Engineer Gary Carter. Carter stated on
05/19/2008, he was working at Orange County Fire Station #76 which is
located at Narcoossee Rd and SR 417. Carter stated while working, an
unknown female came to the station and described what she believed was
a coyote or wolf was chasing cows.
#13 - 22
Orange County Fire Department Fire Fighter Witness Michael (Mike)
Moss. Moss stated several bystanders, approximately ten (10) came by
the fire station to advise them that two wolves were attacking the cows.
During the recorded statement, Moss stated he was working at Station
#76 during the incident. Moss stated that at approximately 1530 hrs,
they received a knock at the door to the station. Moss stated he was
told by the Fire Fighter who answered the door that there were some
wolves or dogs in the cow pasture. Moss stated several more people
came to the door to relate the same information to the Fire Department
personnel. Moss stated by 1600 hrs, he decided to go outside due to
the number of complaints they had received. Moss stated once outside,
he saw two dogs running around and the cattle were circled around.
Moss stated he believes they were first notified of this at
approximately 1530 hrs. He remembers this time because he was getting
ready to watch a program on television, The People's Court, which
airs at 1600 hrs. Moss said he was sitting in the chair flipping
through the channel waiting for the show to start. Moss stated the
fire department personnel were asked by the bystanders who notified
them of the situation as to what they (fire department) were going to
do about this. He said the bystanders would come by about every ten
to fifteen minutes. Moss stated none of the fire department personnel
called the Sheriff's Office or Animal Control
# 23
David Tindall, along with his wife had stopped along Narcoossee Rd to
see what could be done. David stayed at the pasture while his wife
drove just a few yards up to the local Orange County Fire Station #76,
where an Animal Control vehicle is parked.
#24
David Tindall stated while he was on scene, an unknown female came up
and was talking with him about the situation. They decided that David
would stay at the pasture and she would go to the fire station (Orange
County Fire/Rescue #76), which was just down the street. David stated
when the female returned, she appeared disgusted with the Fire
Department personnel because they did not seem to have any desire to
take any action. She saw an Orange County Animal Services vehicle
parked at the station and thought they would help.
David stated the female told him that the Fire Department personnel
had contacted a "Grove Patrol" or someone who could handle the
situation.
#25
Moss stated another lady pulled up and he believes it was the person
with the video because she had a European or Irish accent. She then
said there were wolves attacking and asked what they (fire department
personnel) were going to do.
May 19th Authorities alerted to wolves / dogs
#1
Kelly C.
911 call to Operator Donna..."It looks like coyotes, I don't know what
they look like, but there's two of them, in a cow pasture and they're,
I guess they're trying to get the cows. I don't know if there's a baby
calf in there that you know the cows are protecting. I can see the
dogs or whatever they are... you know..."
#2, 3, 4
Kelly C.
"...this has been the fourth phone number that I have been transferred
to. So I'm not making any more calls. If somebody wants to save the
cows. I don't know who to call."
Wendy Farah
# 5
Called 9-1-1 on 05/19/2008 from cellular phone about two large Huskies
running through her neighborhood, routed through Orlando Police
Department dispatch. Farah stated she became concerned since there
are so many children in the neighborhood so she contacted 911 (Orlando
Police Department).
#6
OPD later referred call to Orange County Animal Services as a dog
complaint.
#7
First call (#2785) received by OCSO Communications Center at 1908 hrs,
05/19/2008 closed at 1922 hrs. SR 417 and Narcoosee Rd. Unknown male
caller advised two wolves attacking cows.
#8
Call was referred to FWC through emergency number.
#9
Second call (#2766) received by OCSO Communications Center at 1912
hrs, 05/19/2008, closed at 1927 hrs. SR 417 and Narcoosee Rd. Caller
advised two large wolves attacking cows in pasture north of the SR 417
on Narcoossee Rd. Requests deputy to check area. Unknown Male caller.
#10
Orange County Fire Department Lieutenant Benjamin Schmidt at Station #
62.
He stated an unknown female came to the station at approximately 1700
hrs and informed them about two wolves in the pasture chasing cattle.
Schmidt stated he instructed the female to contact Orange County
Animal Services for assistance.
#11
Jakubowicz stated a woman came to the station and rang the bell and
informed them that there were, "a couple of wolves or coyotes or
something are circling the cows in the field behind you." Jakubowicz
stated they (fire department personnel) went out back and noticed to
the north there were a couple of dogs circling a bunch of cows and
calves.
He stated that after the shooting started, they (fire department
personnel) thought they needed to call the Orange County Sheriff's
Office. Jakubowicz stated he was outside watching the incident, on
and off for approximately
forty or fifty minutes.
#12
Orange County Fire Department Engineer Gary Carter. Carter stated on
05/19/2008, he was working at Orange County Fire Station #76 which is
located at Narcoossee Rd and SR 417. Carter stated while working, an
unknown female came to the station and described what she believed was
a coyote or wolf was chasing cows.
#13 - 22
Orange County Fire Department Fire Fighter Witness Michael (Mike)
Moss. Moss stated several bystanders, approximately ten (10) came by
the fire station to advise them that two wolves were attacking the cows.
During the recorded statement, Moss stated he was working at Station
#76 during the incident. Moss stated that at approximately 1530 hrs,
they received a knock at the door to the station. Moss stated he was
told by the Fire Fighter who answered the door that there were some
wolves or dogs in the cow pasture. Moss stated several more people
came to the door to relate the same information to the Fire Department
personnel. Moss stated by 1600 hrs, he decided to go outside due to
the number of complaints they had received. Moss stated once outside,
he saw two dogs running around and the cattle were circled around.
Moss stated he believes they were first notified of this at
approximately 1530 hrs. He remembers this time because he was getting
ready to watch a program on television, The People's Court, which
airs at 1600 hrs. Moss said he was sitting in the chair flipping
through the channel waiting for the show to start. Moss stated the
fire department personnel were asked by the bystanders who notified
them of the situation as to what they (fire department) were going to
do about this. He said the bystanders would come by about every ten
to fifteen minutes. Moss stated none of the fire department personnel
called the Sheriff's Office or Animal Control
# 23
David Tindall, along with his wife had stopped along Narcoossee Rd to
see what could be done. David stayed at the pasture while his wife
drove just a few yards up to the local Orange County Fire Station #76,
where an Animal Control vehicle is parked.
#24
David Tindall stated while he was on scene, an unknown female came up
and was talking with him about the situation. They decided that David
would stay at the pasture and she would go to the fire station (Orange
County Fire/Rescue #76), which was just down the street. David stated
when the female returned, she appeared disgusted with the Fire
Department personnel because they did not seem to have any desire to
take any action. She saw an Orange County Animal Services vehicle
parked at the station and thought they would help.
David stated the female told him that the Fire Department personnel
had contacted a "Grove Patrol" or someone who could handle the
situation.
#25
Moss stated another lady pulled up and he believes it was the person
with the video because she had a European or Irish accent. She then
said there were wolves attacking and asked what they (fire department
personnel) were going to do.
From Humble Beginnings - An American Story
Christopher Comins grew up from humble beginnings. The son of a Chrysler autoworker and a decorated World War II nurse. One of five children, in a house on the outskirts of Detroit Michigan not far from 8 Mile.
Life was tough in Detroit, but the family made it through the ups and downs of strikes, layoffs and hard times. Christopher took on paper routes and cutting lawns as soon as he was able to ride a bike and push a mower, always looking for ways to help his family.
As a young man, he headed South, away from the brutally cold Michigan winters – a beat up old van, a few dollars in his pocket and a do or die attitude. Chris headed to Florida after a visit with friends convinced him this was where he wanted to live.
Gaining his experience with such jobs as a boilermaker and steel worker scaling beams thirty stories in the air, Chris accepted a job as a welder during the day while taking on various jobs after hours to make ends meet. While installing a building next door to B & H Sales (a local water and sewer materials distributor) he struck up a conversation with the company’s President.
Chris was asked to start a welding shop within B & H’s existing flange shop. When their sister company assumed the fabrication shop, Chris was asked to stay on as a sales rep.
While there, Chris opened Comins Welding in a small open air work shed where he worked nights and weekends primarily making valve wrenches.
Chris left B & H to work full time on his own when the sister company Waterworks Manufacturing couldn’t meet their required deliveries for flange pipe.
In 1986 he changed the name of the company to Custom Fab, and moved the into a small (20 foot x 60 foot) one stall location on Orange Blossom Trail. There he designed and built a cut off machine and purchased Custom Fab’s first 6” capacity threader.
The business grew rapidly and so did the need for a larger facility.
Gaining his experience with such jobs as a boilermaker and steel worker scaling beams thirty stories in the air, Chris accepted a job as a welder during the day while taking on various jobs after hours to make ends meet. While installing a building next door to B & H Sales (a local water and sewer materials distributor) he struck up a conversation with the company’s President.
Chris was asked to start a welding shop within B & H’s existing flange shop. When their sister company assumed the fabrication shop, Chris was asked to stay on as a sales rep.
While there, Chris opened Comins Welding in a small open air work shed where he worked nights and weekends primarily making valve wrenches.
Chris left B & H to work full time on his own when the sister company Waterworks Manufacturing couldn’t meet their required deliveries for flange pipe.
In 1986 he changed the name of the company to Custom Fab, and moved the into a small (20 foot x 60 foot) one stall location on Orange Blossom Trail. There he designed and built a cut off machine and purchased Custom Fab’s first 6” capacity threader.
The business grew rapidly and so did the need for a larger facility.
Custom Fab continued to grow by staying on top of industry needs. Five more yards were added, enlarging the Orlando facility to nearly 30 acres. With the addition of the Atlanta, San Antonio and Phoenix facilities, Custom Fab has become one of the largest fabricators in the Country.
Mr. Comins explains that the success of Custom Fab can be contributed to three factors- the hard work and dedication of his staff and employees, the diversity of his product line and a dedication to customer service that is unequalled in the waterworks industry.
From the urban streets of Detroit, to a thriving business that employs over 150 people in four states, Chris has worked long and hard to build the American Dream.
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