Background questions delay dog shooter sentencing

A sentencing hearing for the Grayslake-area man convicted of shooting a dog was delayed Monday after questions arose about his criminal background.

Elvin Dooley, 57, faces up to three years in prison for gunning down a small dog Jan. 24 outside his home in the 24000 block of Townline Road.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel said records indicate Dooley was convicted of burglary in Alabama in 1978 and sentenced to a year and a day in prison.

But the records Mermel received from Alabama officials regarding that case are incomplete, Mermel said, and do not positively identify Dooley as the man who received the conviction.

"There is some confusion as to what the defendant's background actually is," Mermel told Circuit Judge James Booras. "At least we are not satisfied we have a full criminal history."

As important as determining what Dooley's criminal record is for sentencing him on the aggravated cruelty to animal charge he has already been convicted of, it is critical to another charge he is facing.

Sheriff's police said they confiscated 17 firearms from Dooley when they arrested him a few days after the dog was shot.

Based on the information they had at the time about Dooley's criminal background, he was charged with possession of a weapon by a felon.

Mermel said Monday if he is unable to obtain verifiable information about the Alabama conviction, he may not be able to proceed against Dooley on that charge.

Dooley is also charged with possession of a weapon without a state Firearms Owner's Identification card, and both pending charges against him were scheduled to go to trial July 16.

However, based on what he learned Monday, Booras put all matters concerning Dooley on hold and ordered the parties to return to court July 30 for a status report.