Former SPCA shelter manager, board president plead not guilty

By Maria R. Hayes

Former Wyoming County SPCA shelter manager Susan Davila and former Wyoming County SPCA board president Janet Foisset appeared in court on Thursday, May 24.
Davila was arraigned for 10 counts of animal cruelty and 10 counts of failure to provide sustenance to an impounded animal, which are both misdemeanors. Both women were arraigned for tampering with physical evidence, a felony. If convicted, they could be sentenced to 1 1/3 to four years in jail.

Both Davila and Foisset have pled not guilty. A hearing has been set for July 12.

“From my perspective, these are two women who have desperately tried to prevent cats from being killed in shelters,” said Thomas Eoannou, the women’s lawyer. “Did people drop off too many cats? Yes. Was the shelter too small? Yes. Did that in anyway make the people trying to help the cats criminal? No. Not at all.”

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Warsaw wrestler granted youthful offender status

By Kristy Kibler

Jacob Royce, a 17-year-old student and former member of the wrestling team at Warsaw High School, has been granted youthful offender status in connection with an alleged hazing incident on Dec. 9, 2011 that left a younger teammate with a broken jaw.

Royce was originally charged with hazing in the first degree and evidence tampering, a felony. The case is now sealed, and after he appeared in a closed court session on Monday, March 19, the criminal case is closed, said Don O’Geen, Wyoming County district attorney.

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