A St. John’s man who starved his dog to death and stuffed its emaciated remains in a suitcase will have wait to find out his punishment so that newer charges he’s facing can be included in his sentencing.
John Michael Corcoran was supposed to be sentenced this morning in provincial court. However, he told the judge he wanted to have all his charges dealt with together, seeing he will likely be given jail time.
“I understand Mr. Corcoran’s decision to do (that) ...,” said Judge Jim Walsh, who seemed to soften his tone with Corcoran compared to the sternness he showed when the case was called twice previously.
“With (sentencing consideration for) totality, it makes sense to do it all together.”
Corcoran — who had represented himself throughout the case — said he has a lawyer representing him on the new charges, which relate to his failing to show up for court.
When defence lawyer Rhona Buchan came into the courtroom, she said if she’s going to present submissions on the new charges, she would like to review information from the previous charges first.
They agreed to reschedule the sentencing for Tuesday, May 22.
“Perfect,” Corcoran said before being led out of the courtroom by sherrif’s officers at the end of proceedings.
The 33-year-old was originally set to be sentenced April 26, but was a no-show. Walsh issued a warrant for his arrest. Corcoran — who wasn’t in custody at the time — turned himself into police Thursday and has been in custody since then.
He has pleaded guilty to a charge of animal cruelty in a case in which the details of the dog’s suffering caused the province’s chief veterinary officer to break down on the stand.
The 33-year-old was originally set to be sentenced April 26, but was a no-show. Walsh issued a warrant for his arrest. Corcoran — who wasn’t in custody at the time — turned himself into police Thursday and has been in custody since then.
While testifying at the sentencing hearing a few months ago, Dr. Laura Rogers described it as the worst case of emaciation she’s seen in her 20 years of practice. Rogers was tearful as she described the suffering Diamond, a young pit bull, had endured in the months before the dog died.
The dog’s remains were found Aug. 15, 2015 in a suitcase that was seeping a liquid substance by employees from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corp., who were at an apartment on Buckmaster’s Circle preparing it for the next tenant.
During Corcoran’s sentencing hearing, Crown prosecutor Robin Singleton recommended Corcoran be given a blended sentence — eight months behind bars, with 18 months’ probation for the animal cruelty charge, and conditional sentences totalling 45 days for other unrelated charges, including possessing stolen property from the construction company he had worked for and breaching court orders for not residing where he said he would.
Corcoran represented himself at the sentencing hearing and apologized for what he did and asked the judge to consider a conditional sentence.
Walsh then told Corcoran, “Pack your toothbrush, because I tell you there will be some straight jail time.”
Corcoran seemed agitated with reporters when he was first brought into the courtroom today, complaining that coverage has resulted in the case and him getting plenty of attention on social media.
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