'Don't shoot': pet parrot's words may be used in Michigan murder trial

[arendt]

Bud, a 19-year-old African grey parrot, has been repeating the phrase “don’t fucking shoot” ever since his owner, Martin Duram, was shot multiple times and killed in Sand Lake, Michigan during May 2015.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/27/parrot-murder-trial-martin-duran-dont-shoot

Just a little humor to lighten the mood here.

This story is like the wood chipper scene from Fargo. You laugh and then you are appalled that you laughed. I mean, first the bird; then the failed suicide wife who can't remember anything. Then the lawyers arguing about whether a parrot is a witness or a "recording device". It sounds like it was written by Hollywood. If not, it soon will be.

Here's another version.

Duram's body was found near his wife, who suffered a gunshot wound to her head but is alive. Although police initially assumed she was a victim of the shooting, police reports obtained by WOOD-TV revealed that she eventually became a suspect in the slaying.

Relatives told the station that they think Martin Duram's final moments were imprinted in the bird's memory and that he continues to relive the slaying. They noted that Bud mimicked both the victim and his wife.

Bud's new owner, Duram's ex-wife, Christina Keller, agrees, telling the station that the bird has a habit of replaying the voices of a man and a woman locked in a fierce disagreement.

"I'm hearing two people in an intense argument," said Keller, who believes "Don't f--ing shoot!" were Duram's final words. "Two people that I know, voices that I recognize."

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2016/06/michigan_shooting_victims_parr.html

[ms liberty]

1. Wow, that's actually really sad...

I feel bad for the victim, but even more for the poor parrot! I can't help but wonder about the trauma he experienced. Thank goodness there was an ex who knew the parrot and was able to take him in.

[jberryhill]

2. This is kind of a side show being put on by the victim's relatives

The prosecutor is not of the opinion that the parrot is necessary to his case.

Aside from which, the parrot has apparently been in the possession of the victim's relatives for some time now.

[Mojorabbit]

3. My african grey replays conversations

My husband passed away 2 and a half years ago and he still mimics me calling out to him and his reply to me perfectly in each of our voices.