And the hearing goes on...
"PETA paid him $135 for each day he [Goldman, PETA paid witness for the prosecution] turned in a report while working at the firm as snake caretaker." And surely it's inherent and apparent that PETA isn't going to pay for reports that don't say bad things, isn't it? Nearly $17/hour? $675/5 day week? For about 30 weeks? That's some really nice incentive to sabotage and lie!
"Boiko [employee for about 6 years] testified that he found it suspicious that the city raided the company early in the morning, before employees had time to clean the cages or do their regular shopping for food." I'm just guessing that exotic pets don't "hold it" and wait to be walked in the morning. I'm right there with you Mr. Boiko! I think they chose their timing with quite a bit of care and planning.
And from last Tuesday... http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/1849165.html
I think I'll wait until reports of today's activities hit the net before I tear in. But seriously, are we to start convicting people and taking their property based on testimony paid for by PETA? Is that the least bit credible? Since the "experts" for the City were apparently brought in so they could be present during the seizure, they are both fact witnesses subject to having their credibility questioned, especially since they also seem to have financial and other ties to PETA, and they must qualify as testifying experts which is a heightened standard of credibility. A qualified expert may testify “in the form of an opinion or otherwise” so long as: “
- (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data,
- (2) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods, and
- (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case.”
I see problems on three counts just from the media reports. Oh, I so wish I could be in the courtroom to watch!