Hornell man pleads guilty in animal cruelty case
BY MARY PERHAM GATEHOUSE MEDIA

BATH - A Hornell man charged with killing and mutilating a family pet in Savona last summer pleaded guilty to felony charges Wednesday, May 14.

Jeremy James, 26, pleaded guilty to aggravated animal cruelty before Steuben County Judge Marianne Furfure, according to Steuben County Assistant District Attorney Patricio Jimenez.

James' plea avoided the bench trial set for Furfure's court Thursday.

Police said James, and a friend, Jake A. Hoffman, 26, of Hornell, killed a Cocker Spaniel in a "depraved and sadis ic manner" July 21, 2007, on Grove Street in Savona. The dog was owned by Hoffman's aunt.

The arrests followed a joint investigation by the sheriff's office and the county's animal cruelty investigator, after a Savona resident contacted the local SPCA.

Hoffman was found guilty on the same charges April 9 after a 1.5-day bench trial in front of Steuben County Judge Joseph Latham.

Although witnesses in Hoffman's trial implied James initiated the beating, Jimenez said James and Hoffman were considered accomplices.

"Legally, whose idea it was, is not relevant," Jimenez said.

Jimenez said no promises on sentencing were made in exchange for James' guilty plea.

Each man faces up to two years in state prison on the charges.

Hoffman is scheduled for sentencing at 9:30 a.m. June 16 in Latham's court. James' sentencing is set for 10:30 a.m. July 14 in front of Furfure.