Monica Thors
A New Jersey judge gives an animal cruelty defendant the chance to have felony charges brought against her dismissed. Monica Thors, 57, of Mullica Hill must complete one-year of diversion, although she can own horses during the program.
Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson approved Thors’ admission into the state’s pre-trial intervention program (PTI) this week. The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s office tells us it opposed the pro se defendant’s application.
Animal Cruelty
There are two main types of animal cruelty, intentional animal abuse, and animal abuse through neglect.
Photos show the now deceased Standardbred named According to Prince held upright by a sling from the stable’s rafters. Blood appears to stain the floor below the horse’s bloody hoof. An extension cord attached to an electric power tool snakes beside the horse. This photo isn’t unique.
Consequently, other images tell a similar, but contradictory story about Thors. While professing her love for her animals she allegedly tortured her equines by drilling their hooves until they would bleed.
Thors allegedly failed to make modifications to her overweight horses’ food intake so they could lose weight. The horses suffered from chronic laminitis.
Pre-Trial Intervention
New Jersey’s pre-trial intervention program is for first-time, non-violent offenders making Thors eligible. The law considers Thors a non-violent offender since she allegedly committed crimes against horses, not people.
The state’s website adds that PTI:
“render[s] early rehabilitative services when such services can reasonably be expected to deter future criminal behavior. PTI strives to resolve personal problems which tend to result from the conditions that appear to cause crime, and ultimately, to deter future criminal behavior by a defendant.”
Our document request regarding Thors’ PTI was denied due to state law. The judge ordered Thors to serve one year of PTI, which includes reporting to a supervisor.
Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson did not include a mental evaluation or counseling for Thors, according to Bernie Weisenfeld, spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.
Researchers report a relationship between animal abuse, violence, and other anti-social behaviors. A three-year study concludes animal abusers are 5 times more likely to commit violent acts against people.
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