Defending Animals - Press Releases: Sara

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Press Releases

Press releases are updated regularly. They are listed below, by case name, and are in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

Please see Action Alerts, Current Cases, Case History, VFP In The News, etc. for additional background on each case.

For further information, or to arrange an interview, receive additional materials, etc., please call Voices For Pets at 925-685-5388.

Sara Case

Release 4–August 2, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

On Friday, August 3 at 10:00 AM, at the Napa Superior Courthouse, 1111 Third Street (New Courthouse), Napa, Dept. G, 3rd Floor, final sentencing for Martin Berg will take place.

Berg has pleaded "no contest" to two counts of animal cruelty for beating and later setting fire to a female kitten on January 5, 2001. Berg, then a pizza delivery person, was arrested shortly after beating the kitten with a flashlight at one delivery location, putting her in his truck and driving to a second delivery location where he set her on fire. Police found evidence in his vehicle, including an animal trap, a can of charcoal lighter fluid, a bloodied flashlight and animal fur on the floorboard.

Petitions are being circulated requesting that Berg’s crimes be kept at felonies and to include prison time. Over 12,000 signatures have been collected so far.

Leroy Moyer, Director
Voices for Pets
925-685-5388

Napa County District Attorney Gary Lieberstein: 707.253.4292

Release 3– May 16, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

May 16, 2001

On Thursday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m., at the Napa Superior Courthouse, 1111 Third Street (New Courthouse), Napa, Dept. G, 3rd Floor, a pre-sentencing for Martin Berg will take place.

On January 5, 2001, 40-year-old Martin Berg, a pizza deliveryman, beat Sara, an 8-month-old kitten, with a metal flashlight, then took the kitten to another location where he poured lighter fluid over her and lit her on fire. Berg was arrested later at the pizza parlor, where police found an animal trap, a can of charcoal lighter fluid, a bloodied flashlight, and animal fur on the floorboard of Berg's truck.

On April 11, Berg pleaded "no contest" to two counts of animal cruelty. The judge ordered a probation report and set sentencing for May 17. However, the County Probation Department has recommended that Berg be sent to San Quentin for further psychological evaluation before a formal sentencing sometime in the next 90 days.

Petitions are being circulated requesting that Berg's crimes be kept as felonies and to include prison time. Over 8000 signatures have been collected so far, and the petitions are just beginning to come in.

Cris Kelly - Napa County Contact
Voices For Pets
707-258-1825
ww.voicesforpets.org

Release 2 – March 12, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

March 12, 2001

On Tuesday, March 13 at 8:30 AM, at the Napa Superior Courthouse, 1111 Third Street (New Courthouse), Napa, Dept. E, 2nd Floor, an arraignment hearing for Martin Berg will take place.

Berg has been charged with a second count of animal cruelty. He was previously arraigned on felony animal cruelty and felony arson charges. Berg allegedly beat and later set fire to a female kitten on January 5, 2001. Berg, then a pizza delivery person, was arrested at the pizza parlor shortly after the incident occurred. Police found evidence in his vehicle, including an animal trap, can of charcoal lighter fluid, a bloodied flashlight and animal fur on the floorboard. Berg told investigators he wanted to get even with the cat and wanted her to suffer for trying to scratch him.

Cris Kelly - Napa County Contact
Voices for Pets
707.258.1825
www.voicesforpets.org

Release 1– February 21,2001

PRESS RELEASE

On Thursday, February 22 at 1:30 PM, at the Napa Superior Courthouse, 1111 Third Street (New Courthouse), Napa, Dept. E, 2nd Floor, the preliminary hearing for Martin Berg will take place.

Berg, who has been charged with two counts of animal abuse and one count arson, allegedly beat and set fire to a female kitten on January 5, 2001. Berg, then a pizza delivery person, was arrested at the pizza parlor shortly after the incident occurred. Police found evidence in his vehicle, including an animal trap, can of charcoal lighter fluid, a bloodied flashlight and animal fur on the floorboard. Berg told investigators he wanted to get even with the cat and wanted her to suffer for trying to scratch him.

Cris Kelly - Napa County Contact

Voices for Pets
707.258.1825
www.voicesforpets.org

Action Alerts, Current Cases, Case Histories

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Please see Action Alerts, Current Cases, Case Histories, for additional background on each case. For additional information or to arrange an interview or receive other materials, please call 925-685-5388 or .