Judge upholds 18-month recommendation by jury in Charles City animal cruelty case; imposes additional six months for probation violation
A former Charles City woman will serve 24 months in jail on 13 charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty following formal sentencing Friday afternoon in Charles City Circuit Court.
Judge Thomas B. Hoover followed the recommendations made by a jury during a three-day trial in early April, sentencing Rhiannon Renee Vitiello, 31, formerly of the 9500 block of Sturgeon Point Road, to 12 months in jail on one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and 15 days in jail on each of the remaining charges of animal cruelty. In addition, the defendant received an additional six months in jail as part of a probation violation.
The Apr. 3-5 trial recapped a Feb. 22, 2016 incident when state and local authorities seized horses at the Sturgeon Point address. Twenty horses were treated by veterinarians with one of the animals, identified as C1, being euthanized at the recommendation of one of the veterinarians.
Testimony unfolded in front of the jury about the conditions of the farm and animals, with the prosecution saying that the responsibility of caring for the horses belonged to Vitiello. Testifying on her defense, Vitiello said that the malnourished horses were transported to the Sturgeon Point farm without her permission and that she made attempts to keep the animals healthy. A jury found the defendant guilty on 13 of 21 charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
During the Apr. 21 sentencing, the defendant testified once again, saying that she has had custody of an at-risk teenager since Sept. 2016 and that she wanted to keep a stable environment for the child. Defense attorney Richard Collins argued that his client should remain out of jail since an appeal is planned for the case. Vitiello also reiterated her innocence, saying that Norman Davis violated the terms of an agreement for taking care of the horses at his farm in Nottoway County while she took care of his horses at the property in Charles City. The defendant added that the horses were returned to the farm in the middle of the night prior to the seizure.
Hoover disagreed with the defense’s argument on both bond and delayed reporting to jail, saying the facts of the case had more than enough support to warrant sentencing.
“There comes a time when you have to accept responsibility and that is today,” Hoover addressed Vitiello. “The jury listened well to the evidence and took into account their verdicts on each of the cases when it came to guilt or innocence and when it came to recommended sentencing.
“I do not find it reasonable for her to stay out on a bond while waiting for an appeal,” the judge continued as he mulled over the defendant’s criminal history. “I believe she may pick up a new offense and may not appear.”
In addition to time sentenced on both the misdemeanor charges and the probation violation, Vitiello must pay a total of $3,700 in fines. As part of a court order on the probation violation, she cannot own, possess, or care for any horse for the next 10 years.