Man accused of shooting and killing stepdaughter's French bulldog turns down plea deal
As Jeffery Lentz stood before Judge Kenneth Palmer for what was a brief hearing concerning evidence, a crowd of animal rights supports sat directly behind him in the courtroom.
Top Stories
The man accused of fatally shooting his stepdaughter's French bulldog turned down a plea deal on Friday when he appeared before a Superior Court judge in Ocean County.
As Jeffery Lentz stood before Judge Kenneth Palmer for what was a brief hearing concerning evidence, a crowd of animal rights supports sat directly behind him in the courtroom.
It was revealed in that hearing that the plea agreement that Lentz turned down from the Ocean County prosecutor would have him serving several years in prison. The terms of the offer included a three-year prison stint for animal cruelty and five years for possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Lentz would also be barred from being around animals and from contacting dog's owners.
In October, the dog’s owner, Nicole Ingraffia, left Ruby with her mother and Lentz at the couple’s home in Berkeley Township while she went to a wedding.
RELATED:
Pet sitter from Berkeley accused of fatally shooting French bulldog
Rally held for Ruby, French bulldog shot and killed by sitter
Ingraffia got a call at the wedding saying the dog was attacked by an animal and died.
It wasn’t until an X-ray was performed that it was discovered Ruby was shot.
Following a police investigation, Lentz was arrested and charged.
“I was really hoping that he was going to take the plea deal today. I feel like the evidence we have against him is so strong but if he wants to go to trial then I welcome it,” said Nicole Ingraffia.
While surrounded outside the courthouse by supporters who wore shirts that read, “Justice for Ruby,” Ingraffia said, “The support has been really outstanding. I loved Ruby so much. She was really like my emotional support animal, and now I feel like she sent me all these people to be my emotional support group.”
The case will next head to a grand jury for consideration.
Lentz’ attorney declined to comment on his client or his defense strategy following Friday's court hearing.
