TOMORROW: Sentencing of Third of Mississippi Cat Scalding Trio to Take Place Tuesday February 21, 2017

TOMORROW: FINAL SNAPCHAT CAT TORTURER FACES JUSTICE

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483
Images: http://bit.ly/CatScaldingMP

Moss Point, MS (February 20, 2017) – In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization that runs the Winona, Mississippi-based Justice for Animals Campaign is holding a vigil for justice tomorrow at the sentencing of Karmen Coleman, the third and final perpetrator of the infamous trio who tortured and killed a trapped cat with boiling water. Coleman will meet her sentencing tomorrow, on Tuesday February 21 in the Moss Point Municipal Court where Judge Keith Miller will preside.

Coleman’s testimony has already sealed the conviction of her boyfriend Laderrick Oneal Rothchild, and led to his uncle Larry Rothchild’s guilty plea. She gave both of them up, testifying to the role her boyfriend and his uncle played in dousing the black and white male cat with two pans of boiling water. Coleman and Laderrick’s four children were present at the house while their parents committed the heinous crime.

Coleman was charged with rendering criminal assistance to the men in their crime after she recorded and posted a video of the vile act on Snapchat. An animal advocate spotted the post and notified the Moss Point Police Department of the crime. The Police Department’s investigation identified the trio, and discovered the cat lying dead in the fetal position. Laderrick fled and went into hiding, but a reward offer from In Defense of Animals yielded his whereabouts and led to his eventual arrest.

Following the conviction of Laderrick, his uncle, Larry Rothchild pled guilty to tormenting the scalded cat as he writhed in pain. Larry kicked the “humane” trap the cat was fastened in, mocked his cries, and called him crazy while steam rose from the cat’s scalded body. It was later confirmed that the cat died of thermal burns. The Rothchild pair were sentenced on February 7, both receiving the maximum penalty.

Coleman will now face charges for her role in videoing the diabolical crime and posting it to Snapchat. The charge leveled against Karmen Coleman, of rendering criminal assistance during the act, carries a maximum fine of just $1,000 and, or up to a year in jail.

Despite the gruesome nature of this act, first offense aggravated cruelty to a dog or a cat is a mere misdemeanor under Mississippi Statute 97-41-16, carrying a maximum fine of just $2,500 and, or six months in jail. Mississippi is one of only two states still with only a first offense misdemeanor statute for aggravated cruelty to a dog or a cat. The sentencing of the Rothchilds was met with outrage by animal advocates and other Mississippi citizens alike, and now In Defense of Animals is calling for the firm sentencing of Coleman.

“This crime was nothing more that diabolical entertainment for bloodlust, and animal abusers like Coleman must pay,” said Justice for Animals Campaign Director Doll Stanley. “We commend the Moss Point Police Department and all Mississippians who have mobilized as animal advocates for this serious crime, but the Mississippi legislature has not yet grasped the severity of such senseless acts of violence to helpless animals. Legislators must urgently put stronger laws in place, or else sickening crimes like these will keep happening, putting entire communities at risk. We call on Mississippi legislators stop fighting protective legislation that will not affect farming, and protect our communities from the ravages of criminals who prey on the most vulnerable.”

Despite the clear link between violence to animals and violence to humans, few law enforcement agencies have received training on the investigation of animal neglect and violence, the handling of animals, and applicable laws and procedures. Fewer still have the facilities, equipment, and resources required to remove imperiled animals.

Citizens of Mississippi are mobilizing in a grassroots effort to see legislation passed that will give equal protection under the law for animal species they chose to work or live with.

Despite efforts to improve outdated laws, the Mississippi House Agriculture Committee and Farm Bureau blocked passage of two bills that would have made crimes against domestic animals a first offense felony. The farming industry is fearful that stronger laws for domestic animals would be a “slippery slope” to stronger animal protection laws for farming and ranching, despite the fact that farmed animals are already provided more protection than domestic animals; it is a felony to maliciously or wantonly harm “livestock” under MSSS 97-41-15.

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign has aligned with coalitions, organizations, officials, and citizens across the state to work towards the passage of this bill in 2018 and to see municipal and county ordinances amended or passed to reflect the stiffest penalties of state law.

For more information, please visit www.idausa.org

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In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals campaign is actively working with officials in communities, building a groundswell of support for establishing and amending city and county ordinances as part of its campaign to show state lawmakers that Mississippians will not tolerate animal cruelty.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns and hands on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048