YOUR COMMENTS

I was just checking on this story after reading it the other day, to see if the man was convicted. My gut tells me he's guilty, and it sickens me to think someone would treat an innocent animal that way. If we could eliminate people like this from our society, the world would be a better place.
- Diane, Manchester

To Steph, Manch.

When the attorney asked Ms. Moonstone about her cat getting run over, SHE said:
"Shame on you! I watched him do it."
- MDH, Acworth, NH

Steph,
The article was poorly written and quotes were oftenmisattributed.
Mr. Hulser asked Ms. Moonstone if her cat had been run over.
SHE then said: "shame on you!" not the attorney.
- MDH, Acworth, NH

Jamie, Zizzy stated that "...many Christian customs/traditions were stolen from the Pagans." That is not saying that Pagan were the ones who stole the traditions, it is saying they are the one's that were stolen from.... otherwise the word from would be replaced with the word by.
- T.A.S., Russiaville, Indiana

Although not mentioned in the above article, I'm sure someone could tell the difference between cord marks or a vehicle......unlike some misconceptions, Pagans are very protective of animals of all kinds......
- B McDonald, Preston , MS

I don't think the beliefs should have even been published, let alone attempted to be brought into court. This man (allegedly) hurt a cat. That is an animal. Oh and FYI to the mindless comment about Pagans stealing customs from Christianity-get a history book, it is the other way aound. the fact this woman practiced witchcraft, verifies her love for that animal, as cats are sacred to Witches/Pagans.
- Jamie I, Sullivan,Missouri

Based on this article, it sounds as though the State has a pretty good case. First of all, the testimony of the cat's owner and her son is valid evidence in the case. Secondly, the evidence is not only their testimony but the following:

1) The police officer SAW cat droppings on the porch where the alleged whipping occurred. There is no reason to disbelieve him, unless there is evidence that the police officer is related to the cat's owner or in cahoots with her for some reason.

2) There does not seem to be much reason to believe that the cat's owner would perjure herself and have her son perjure himself. Although the defense now claims there was "bad blood," when asked by the cops the accused could not think of any reason the cat's owner would make up a malicious story about him.

3) There is no evidence to suggest that the cat died from other causes. The brother-in-law does not think he hit the cat.

That having been said, the accused is innocent until proven guilty, and we can't really assess this unless we sat in on the whole trial. But from the newspaper account, it sounds like there was a solid basis for the State to go forward. It is nice to hear that the Sullivan County Attorney's office takes animal cruelty seriously.
- Tina, Bedford

Hey Steph from Manch.. I believe they were looking out their 2nd floor window, not the guy hanging out his window beating the cat. Just a thought...
- Chloe, Concord

Jose - right on. There is no way anyone can come to a conclusion about who is guilty based on the 'facts' as they are known.
- Art, Portsmouth

Sally is a name that comes from “Sarah”. The name Sarah comes from old testament. Sarah became the mother of Isaac at the age of 90. Her name was originally Saray, but God changed it. Now there is a credible story…Mike comes from Michael, the patron saint of soldiers, more religion. Does having a name based from Judeo-Christian religion make a person any more credible than someone who worships nature?? What is even funnier is that many Christian customs/traditions were stolen from the Pagans. I did not know this was the Alabama Union Leader…..
- Zizzy, Manchester

Ok, I clicked on the article because I absolutely love cats and wanted to know what happened. Unfortunately it was poorly written, the quotes from testimony were all out of place, and it’s hard to decipher what actually happened. Are you kidding me? I believe I had this same feeling with the last few articles I read by Ms. Senz. Does anyone proof her work?


“they saw a shirtless Robie whipping a cat from their second-floor window”
-- Really? Was the cat hanging outside the window of the witnesses?

"Did you scoop up that pile and put it into an evidence bag or anything?" Park asked Laffin. "No." "OK, good," Park said.
-- OK good… WHAT? Good what? What does this quote even mean? Was it sarcasm in the courtroom? How about “OK, good,” Park said with disdain [or something to let the reader know what the person meant].

"Ms. Moonstone, I don't mean to be insensitive," public defender Michael Hulser said on cross-examination, "but your cat got run over, didn't it?"
"No, it did not," Moonstone said.
"Shame on you! Mr. Robie didn't beat your cat, did he?"
-- Is it just the way the PD Hulser speaks, or is it me? Shame on you?!? Is this how people with law degrees examine witnesses? Ridiculous.
- Steph, Manchester

It's nice to know that the fine upstanding citizens of New Hampshire believe torturing animals should be legally A-OK, as long as their owners have a silly name. Sally and Mike: Do you think all her other legal protections are void because you disapprove of her name?
- Eileen Hall, Auburn, AL

BC, this is a story about the victim claiming one thing, and the suspect claiming another. I don't see anything in this story that would allow anyone here to take sides based on fact.

'Severe trauma' is the only cause of death listed. That does not tell us whether the cat was hit by a car or whipped. It doesn't even tell us if that determination is consistent with either claim.

This is pure he-said, she-said.
- Jose H, Manchester, NH

Robert M Tarr Manchester, looks like you got Mr. Robie guilty before he even gets a chance to present his defense.
Arn't you the guy who ran for office on the platform of reforming Fish & Game department if Elected. Well the balls been in your court, I Don't see much change happening.
- Peter, Concord

it looks to me that there isnt any proof that this gentleman ever whipped the cat other than her testimony, witch really comes down to he said she said. we will never know the truth
- jeff pellerin, manchester

This is a story about a cat that was whipped to death.
Those who make fun of the victim's name are pretty scary. They sound like they would do the same type of thing to a defenseless animal. People like this are disgusting.
- BC, Salem

How does someone's religion make them less credible? I think people that are Baptist are nuts, does that mean they can lose their credibility in court? That just makes no sense. Wiccan falls under the umbrella of Pagan, and it is certainly not a fake or radical religion. Bash it all you want, but Christianity based many of its values on Paganism. Where do you think you got Christmas from?? Certainly wasn't the day Jesus was born, do a little theology reading. Many would be surprised to come our of their religious bubbles. I was raised Catholic til I did my own research on theology and actually learned about other types of religion.
- Andrew, Franklin

Robbie, have you never accidently deleted pictures from your camera? Obviously a mistake that came back to haunt him but a write up and "full investigation" for accidently deleting pictures?? Give me a break!!
- Quinn, Bow

I have to admit that I checked the date after I read this story, to make sure today wasn't in fact April 1 (April Fool's Day).
- jbrown, Wentworth

Garlic -Clove Moonshot? Seven cats? Ahem, ah not quite sure what happened but I think we can move on without too much concen.
- Sally, Durham

With a name like Vanilla-CLove Moonstone she kind of loses credibility right off for me. Sorry....but it is what it is. How could Obamer let this happen anyway?
- Mike, Concord

It seems like everywhere I go I am always hearing some guy who talks about running over or shooting cats and thinks it's hilarious. Sadly this mentality is pretty widespread. I hate to be an advocate for the heavy hand of the law, but I think the law is the only thing standing in the way of more cats dying.
- Chris, Merrimack

A person that abuses an animal rightfully should be separated from society. A person with little or no regard for domestic animals that depend upon people to protect and care for them, certainly cannot be trusted around people, more specifically those among us that are more vulnerable than others.
- Rick Olson, Manchester

The police officer who responded should also get some kind of write up for "but accidentally deleted the pictures before downloading them, he said" Both the attacker and the officer should be followed up with a full investigation. Pass the bill onto them both. Hopefully GOD himself will pass judgement on Mr. Robie. No one, should ever harm animals, it's just not right.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester

Put that man in jail. I hope he gets whipped with a cord, just like he did to that poor cat. I hate people that abuse animals...
- Kathy, Manchester