In a case rife with confusion and rescheduled hearing dates, a Cinebar man is expected to plead Monday on two counts of first-degree animal cruelty after allegations that he engaged in sexual acts with two malamute dogs.
Wednesday’s hearing in Lewis County Superior Court for 21-year-old Troy B. Whitson was rescheduled for Thursday when the defense claimed Whitson did not clearly understand his plea bargain.
Just before the trial began, Whitson made an obscene gesture to a reporter as he entered the courtroom.
Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden said the plea bargain would dismiss one of the animal cruelty charges if Whitson pled guilty to one of the charges by way of an Alford plea. An Alford plea does not admit guilt, but recognizes that a jury would find guilt should the case stand trial.
Defense attorney Jonathan Meyer disputed the prosecution’s bargain Wednesday, saying one of their officers had made a different deal with Whitson. Meyer said the charges in the new deal would make Whitson an accomplice in the crimes rather than the only suspect.
Golden said he will not change anything.
“I’m told to expect (Whitson) will plead guilty by way of Alford plea Monday,” Golden said. “I’m not changing the charges, and I’m not going to let him claim he let someone else do it.”
The prosecution’s bargain would also restrict Whitson from owning animals for two years, land him in jail for 30 days and put him through psychosexual evaluation as well as any other treatment he may need, Golden said.
Whitson is scheduled to appear at 1 p.m. in Superior Court Monday.
Andy Campbell: (360) 807-8208
