Former Grayslake man takes plea deal in 2010 dog shooting case
A former Grayslake man accepted a plea deal for shooting and killing a dog that wandered onto his property in January 2010.
Elvin Dooley, 59, now living in Alabama, admitted through an Alford plea there was enough evidence to convict him of aggravated cruelty to animals following the attack on the dog. The plea means he does not admit guilt.
Dooley was sentenced to one year of conditional discharge following the plea deal reached Thursday, said Assistant States Attorney Suzanne Willett. The time was considered served after he had served a 20-month sentence on a previous conviction that was overturned in federal court, Willett said.
Dooley was arrested for firing a rifle from one of the windows of his home in the 24000 block of Townline Road and killing the dog as it ran in a large field at the rear of his residence.
Dooley was found guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals for shooting the dog — later named Justice — that had run away from a nearby animal shelter.
However, the 2nd District Appellate Court in Elgin ruled prosecutors’ conduct violated Dooley’s right to a fair trial in the 2010 proceeding, and awarded him a new trial.
Willett said Dooley agreed to take the Alford plea rather than go though another long trial.