Collins, Bignell, Martin sentenced

IONIA COUNTY – A Hubbardston woman who shot a dog in the face will spend half a year in the Ionia County Jail for her crime.

Lora Collins, 54, was sentenced Tuesday in Ionia County 8th Circuit Court by Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger.

Collins was convicted in July 2016 of the felony charge of animal – killing/torturing, as well as a misdemeanor charge of possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. It took a jury 16 minutes to reach a verdict.

Kreeger sentenced Collins to six months on each of the two charges, with credit for two days already served in the Ionia County Jail The sentences will be served consecutively. She will be placed on three years probation, and may not reside in any residence with animals or care for any animals. She must pay costs and fees.

According to police, Collins borrowed a rifle equipped with a silencer to shoot a black Labrador retriever mix named Duncan in the nose in August 2015 in North Plains Township. The dog was euthanized hours after officials brought him to a local veterinary clinic due to his injuries. The veterinarian testified at trial that the dog had been in reasonably good health for its age prior to the gunshot injury.

Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff told the court that Collins has a history of assaultive behavior, including domestic violence and assault and battery, and admitted to abusing alcohol since age 14.

"She allowed this animal to suffer for hours until the deputy showed up," Kirkhoff said. "She showed no remorse in this case."

Collins' attorney, Eric Matwiejczyk, agreed that his client has a long history of alcohol abuse, but said she professes that she is innocent and didn't shoot the dog.

"She told the police she did, because she was drunk," he said. "The injuries were horrific, (but) this dog was very sick and had medical issues. He was probably dying at that time anyway ... not to justify her actions in any way."

Collins denied shooting the dog, and said she wouldn't physically be able to lift a gun.

"I can hardly lift up a gallon of milk. I've never fired a weapon," she told the court. "The dog hadn't been there a long time. I don't know where (the accusation of) abuse came from."

Kreeger told Collins she had a full trial and the jury found differently.

"You were drunk, and you told the police you did shoot the dog," Kreeger said. "The dog suffered for a long period of time, and that warrants six months in jail. It is not OK to engage in this kind of cruelty to animals."

Noting Collins' long history of alcohol abuse, Kreeger said the court was going to require her to make changes in her life. Collins must be on an electronic monitoring device when she is released from jail to be sure she is not consuming alcohol. She must participate in substance abuse treatment. Kreeger also said she would request participation in a cognitive behavioral program for Collins while she is in jail to help her with "information on the decision-making process."

"I hope you will commit to refrain from the use of alcohol for a lifelong period, but certainly during probation," Kreeger said to Collins.

Roger Bignell, 39, of Hubbardston, was sentenced Tuesday in Circuit Court to 15 to 60 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections, with credit for 176 days already served in the Ionia County Jail. He also must pay restitution, costs and fees.

Bignell had pleaded guilty to one count of first degree sexual conduct – relationship. In exchange for his guilty plea, four additional counts were dismissed. Bignell was arrested by the Ionia County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 15, 2016. The crimes took place from August 2010 to March 2011 in Hubbardston.

Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger denied a motion by Bignell's attorney, Kevin Peterson, to allow Bignell to withdraw his plea because Bignell now claims he is innocent. She told Peterson his client has the right to file an appeal, but he has not met the burden of proof to show that the plea wasn't knowingly and voluntarily given.

"I am factually innocent. I took a plea bargain that I shouldn't have took," Bignell told the court. "(The victim) knows the truth and is going to have to live with it. I will obviously appeal this conviction."

One of Bignell's victims gave the court an impact statement. Another wrote a statement, which was read in court.

“You showed that the monsters in our dreams are real. They walk around among us. ... You deserve punishment far greater than the court can do,” the victim's written statement said in part. “We can't erase you from our past, but we can remove you from our future.”

Kreeger noted Bignell's “lengthy” criminal history.

"While I recognize that you are maintaining that you're innocent of these charges, the information in the report provides compelling information to the contrary," Kreeger said, commending the victim for her courage. "I can only hope (the victim) will be able to find peace and reconcile this in some manner. Sexually assaulting children entrusted to your care is inexcusable."

Kreeger told Bignell she would abide by the negotiated plea “in compassion for the victims to avoid having to testify at a trial.”

Kevin Martin, 44, of Belding, was sentenced Tuesday in Circuit Court to prison on two drug-related charges by Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger.

Martin was arrested May 22, 2016, in Belding and charged with one count of controlled substance – operating and maintaining a methamphetamine laboratory and one count of controlled substance – delivery/manufacture of marijuana. One additional count was dismissed per a plea agreement.

The Michigan State Police bomb squad was called to the home after officers from the Belding Police Department discovered Martin cooking meth in a garage using the one-pot cooking method. Martin placed the methamphetamine ingredients in an empty metal oxygen cylinder, which he capped in an effort to conceal the drug when officers arrived. The chemicals placed in the sealed cylinder were actively producing gas, which could have caused an explosion, according to police.

Martin will serve 34 months to 20 years, with credit for 260 days already served, on the meth charge; and 7 months to four years, with credit for 260 days already served. The sentences will be served concurrently.

“I'm extremely ashamed of what has become of my life,” Martin said. He told the court he has been sober for eight and a half months and has a new outlook on his life.

Kreeger noted that this is Martin's fifth felony conviction, and that he has been to prison twice before on multiple charges.

“You were actively cooking methamphetamine, which is extremely dangerous to our community,” she said. “I hope you are sincere, but if I look at past behavior ... You had previous opportunities for intervention and didn't take them.”