Guilty Pleas Include Worthless Check Passing, DUI

The two defendants at the center of a massive animal cruelty case made their first appearance in General Sessions Court on Tuesday. Charles Eugene and Clinton Howland appeared before Judge Susan Melton to answer the numerous counts of animal cruelty charges they are facing.

Instead of hearing from the Howlands the court heard from their lawyer, Shelbyville Attorney John Norton. Norton said that he had met with the District Attorney Monday and was provided with several discovery items. Norton said that, by agreement with the State, he was requesting the case be put off until May 18th.

Norton told Judge Melton that there would hopefully be some kind of resolution on that day. Assistant District Attorney Shawn Puckett said there was no objection to the continuance and it was then granted. Norton, however, did not elaborate as to what kind of resolution there might be on the May court date.

The Howlands were arrested late last year after an investigation by the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department led to the discovery of a large number of dead or dying horses on their Woodland property. The Howlands are both free on bond pending resolution of the charges.

In other business before the Court:

Wendy Marie Thomas was bound over to the May, 2010 term of the Cannon County Grand Jury. She is charged with promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Vicki Bly pled guilty to the charge of passing a worthless check. She was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying the checks and the service charges and paying the court costs.

David McPeak pled guilty to the charge of public intoxication. He was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying a $50.00 fine and paying the costs.

Coty Ferrell pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. His probation was extended and he was ordered to serve 60 days in jail.

Bradley McCauley pled guilty to the charge of driving while license revoked 4th offense. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying a $100.00 fine and paying the court costs. In addition, he lost his driver’s license for 1 year.

Alan Carrow Dickson pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 48 hours in jail, paying a $350.00 fine and paying the court costs. In addition, he lost his driver’s license for 1 year.

Brian Wells pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. His probation was extended and he was ordered to serve 33 days in jail. In another case, Wells pled guilty to the charge of criminal attempt to commit the offense of failure to appear. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation and paying the court costs.

Sheryl Christensen pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. Her probation was extended and she was ordered to serve 40 days in jail.