No-contest plea in fatal dog attack

By Associated Press

October 12, 2002

BASIN, Wyo. - The owners of a dog that attacked and killed a 1-year-old girl last year entered no-contest pleas Friday after reaching an agreement with prosecutors.

Anne Shine pleaded to a reduced charge of reckless endangerment and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Matthew Martinez pleaded no contest to felony involuntary manslaughter and agreed to accept a sentence of 18 to 24 months, with six months to be served in the Big Horn County Jail and the rest suspended.

He will be placed on probation for five years after that.

Shine and Martinez owned a Rottweiler that killed Kristen Ann Jolley on Oct. 29, 2001. Police and neighbors said the dog had been kicked by Martinez, starved and tied up for long periods of time.

Kristen wandered from her home and into the yard where the dog was chained. Witnesses saw the dog maul the girl. She died at a hospital later that day.