About 10 people gathered in June 2016 at Bethel Church before a town hall meeting with Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer and Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza to advocate for Jay the cat, who was killed in Centralia in an act of animal cruelty.
More than a month since his gruesome death, animal lovers gathered Monday evening to show that Jay the cat will not be easily forgotten.
About 10 people gathered at 6 p.m. at Bethel Church-Assembly of God before a town hall meeting hosted by Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer.
Tracy Clark said she organized the event “to seek justice for Jay.”
“We’re hoping for an arrest,” she said.
On April 28, the Centralia Police Department arrested a man on suspicion of killing the cat in the 100 block of Virginia Drive in Centralia.
However, the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office determined soon after reviewing the case that there was not enough evidence against the man to charge him.
The Prosecutor’s Office also determined that it seemed more likely a group of juveniles in the area at the time was involved in the death.
However, deputy prosecutor Kevin Nelson noted at the time that, because the Centralia Police Department had not kept the cat’s body as evidence, there was little his office could do.
The cat was “squeezed,” had been thrown or dropped from a second-story balcony at least twice, and had a stone thrown or dropped on its head, according to the Prosecutor’s Office. The cat was also stabbed at some point.
In mid-May, the police department acknowledged it made some errors in the investigation and stated that it was working to update its policies. The body of the cat was recovered and officers, working with the Prosecutor’s Office, continued their investigation.
Since then, the Prosecutor’s Office has taken action against one suspect, Meyer told The Chronicle Monday.
An 11-year-old Centralia child is being referred to the county’s juvenile diversion program, he said.
In Washington, children 8 to 11 years old are presumed incapable of committing a crime, Meyer explained. Prosecutors therefore have to prove intent to commit a crime in those cases.
In this case, because of the charge of second-degree animal cruelty, the case was automatically referred to juvenile probation, he said.
Some Jay supporters said they are disappointed more hadn’t been done, and more suspects haven’t been charged.
“Animal cruelty needs to be stopped,” Leah Lester said. “They have feelings … These people need to be brought to justice.”
Supporters said they plan to continue speaking for Jay and other abused animals.
“If we’re not here to speak for them, who will?” Michelle Glasser asked.
