Animal cruelty case amended

November 06, 2009

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty have replaced a felony animal cruelty charge against a Martinsburg woman who was charged after authorities in November 2008 found a pit bull with open wounds and ribs showing in the attic of a Martinsburg home, according to court records.

Breshannon Leslie Deveraux, 34, was released on a $12,500 personal recognizance bond set Tuesday by Berkeley County Magistrate Sandra L. Miller, according to court records.

In July 2009, Deveraux backed out of an agreement to enter a guilty plea to one felony count of animal cruelty filed by the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney's office.

Deveraux's decision not to enter the plea prompted Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Saunders to request the case be remanded for possible grand jury indictment.

Prosecuting Attorney Pamela Jean Games-Neely said Wednesday her office decided not to pursue a felony indictment because evidence of intentional torture and mutilation, required elements for the more serious offense of animal cruelty, were not met.

Six days after being arrested in the animal cruelty case, Deveraux was charged with one misdemeanor count of solicitation of prostitution, according to court records. In March 2009, she entered a guilty plea to the charge, records show. She was given credit for serving 105 days in jail and no additional sentence was added.

Since being rescued, the dog has recovered from its injuries and was adopted, animal control officers have said.

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