James Harley Thomas Miranda, 40, the Clearlake man accused of animal abuse in a case that raised the anger of many Lake County residents, was found not guilty.
Last week, the jury deliberated for approximately an hour and a half, freeing Miranda of animal cruelty by torture and being under the influence of methamphetamine charges.
His case stems back to an incident in mid-September when authorities arrested Miranda after a report that his female canine, Coco, was found dead on the shoulder of Highway 53 in Clearlake.
During the preliminary hearing in November and the recent jury trial, Miranda explained that a silver vehicle had hit him and Coco — she was in pain, causing her to bite him, he added. As a result of the biting, he decided to muzzle the dog by placing tape around her mouth.
The accused told the Court he had left Coco on the side of the road while he sought for help.
While Miranda was gone, Clearlake Animal Control Officer Melinda Wymer arrived at the scene and examined the dog. She later confirmed its mouth had been clamped shut and was secured to a loaded dolly with a homemade leash.
Wymer then transported Coco to a veterinarian for a further examination. No injuries of being hit by a car showed in the initial analysis.
The Clearlake Police Department then hired an expert to perform a necropsy, an autopsy on an animal. The results showed that Coco did have internal injuries, which were consistent with being hit by a vehicle.
Social media ran away with this case after a local drove by the incident, took pictures of the dead animal, and published the photos online. The eyewitness said he received hundreds of responses from people around the world, urging justice for Coco.
The jury trial lasted four days and was presided over by Judge David Herrick.
Miranda has since been released from the Lake County Jail following the acquittal.
