Smithsonian bird researcher is convicted of trying to poison cats [View All]

[SoDesuKa]

Source: Los Angeles Times

A postdoctoral researcher at the Smithsonian's Migratory Bird Center at the National Zoo was found guilty Monday of attempting to poison cats in her northwest Washington neighborhood. Security cameras had caught Nico Dauphine, 38, standing over a bowl of cat food outside an apartment complex last March. She denied the charges and claimed she was just removing food to keep strays away. Prosecutors argued that she had taken rat poison out of a bag in her purse and was putting it on the food. (No cats ate the food.)

A District of Columbia Superior Court judge convicted her of attempted animal cruelty, a misdemeanor. She will be sentenced Nov. 21 for the crime, which carries a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Interestingly, Dauphine chose Billy Martin as her defense attorney -- the same lawyer who, also unsuccessfully, defended NFL quarterback Michael Vick on animal cruelty charges.

Dauphine resigned from her position at the bird center the same day as her conviction, a Smithsonian spokesperson said. Animal welfare advocates had called for her dismissal ever since she was first charged.

While she was at the bird center, she was studying how domestic cats affect wildlife. Smithsonian spokesperson Jen Zoon said: "She did not work with any of the Smithsonian's animals, and we do not feel that she posed any threat to the animals in the Smithsonian's collection."


Read more: http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/11/a-dc-bird-researcher-is-convicted-of-trying-to-poison-cats.html

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Why is there such serious legal firepower involved in a misdemeanor case? Billy Martin, Dauphine's pricey lawyer, has been the attorney or record in a number of high-profile cases. This excerpt is from the Dorsey and Whitney LLP website:

He has also represented many individuals from the worlds of politics, sports and entertainment, including NFL star Michael Vick, NBA players Allen Iverson and Jayson Williams and Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell. He also represented the parents of murdered federal intern Chandra Levy. During the investigation of former President Bill Clinton, Mr. Martin served as counsel to both Monica Lewinsky and her parents. He currently represents former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson.