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Mental disability cited in animal abuse case
Oct 30, 2008 (New Haven Register - McClatchy-Tribune Business News via COMTEX) --
The Ansonia man charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty requested in court Wednesday that he be allowed to enter a supervised program for people with psychiatric disabilities.
The program took effect just this month.
Jay Baldwin, 57, must now undergo evaluation by the court's probation department to determine if he's eligible. He's due back in court Nov. 25, when Judge Karen Nash Sequino is expected to decide whether to grant the request.
For now, Baldwin remains jailed.
According to Baldwin's attorney, public defender Jonathan Gable, the program is similar to accelerated rehabilitation, but is only for people with a proven psychiatric disability. Candidates may have a previous criminal record, and the new program can be used twice by the same individual, instead of just once with accelerated rehabilitation.
The new program is not available for those charged with sexual offenses, serious felonies, family violence crimes or driving under the influence. If Sequino grants the request, she may impose any conditions she wants, Gable said.
If Baldwin enters the program, a treatment plan will be devised for him. Should he fail to follow the plan, he can be prosecuted, Gable said.
Because it is so new, Gable said it's difficult to anticipate exactly how the program will work.
Upon successful completion, Baldwin's case would be sealed to the public, but not destroyed.
"The legislature enacted this because they recognize there's people out there with mental illness that don't deserve to be in jail," Gable said.
Animal rights advocates, who have attended all of Baldwin's court appearances since his arrest in August, were disappointed to learn he is being considered for the program.
"He knows what he's doing, and he knows how to work the system," said Donna Ploss of East Hartford, who called Baldwin "manipulative and cunning."
Irene Hudobenko, who let Baldwin adopt the kittens he is accused of harming, said she suspects Baldwin would ignore any orders by the judge not to own pets and would continue to abuse animals.
"I really feel like the court system is failing us," she said.
To see more of New Haven Register, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nhregister.com.
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