Jackson man facing animal torture charge in parrot attack to be sentenced next month
Christopher Alan Turpen
A jury trial for Christopher Alan Turpen, 50, had been scheduled for today. Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Melinda Morris accepted Turpen’s plea of no contest and set a sentencing date of March 28.
Turpen is charged with torturing an animal, a felony. Morris said in court today, because Turpen is considered a fourth-degree habitual offender, he could face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and, or a $5,000 fine if he is convicted.
Ann Arbor police told AnnArbor.com in September that Turpen, who kept the Amazon parrot in his backpack, shook it violently as its feathers flew, causing enough commotion for three witnesses to call 911. Officers arrested Turpen on South Main Street at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and found an unspecified quantity of marijuana in his backpack, Ann Arbor police Lt. Mark St. Amour said.
Steve Hiller, Washtenaw County chief deputy assistant prosecutor, said a controlled substance charge against Turpen was dismissed at his preliminary hearing Oct. 13.
Turpen told police he was disciplining and training the bird. According to police, the parrot fought back, leaving one of Turpen's thumbs scratched and bloodied.
Matt Schaecher, supervisor of cruelty and rescue at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, said Turpen called the bird Labamba. He said it is unknown whether the bird is male or female, as the only way to determine a parrot's sex is through a blood test.
Labamba continues to live in Schaecher's office.
The parrot injured in September is recovering.
But assistant public defender Stephen M. Adams, who is representing Turpen, said a veterinarian with the Humane Society of Huron Valley, examined the bird shortly after the incident and testified that all of the bird's injuries were superficial.
Adams said it is his understanding that the parrot belongs to Turpen's mother.
Ypsilanti Township residents Marie Keehl and Tom Pokryfky, interested observers of the case, say they have rescued a number of pets, including a type of parrot called an umbrella cockatoo.
They say parrots are intelligent and have the ability to remember things in the long term.
"That bird will never forget (Turpen)," said Pokryfky. "(He) will remember that abuse forever."
If Turpen is convicted, the Humane Society will seek permanent custody of the bird and attempt to adopt it out, Schaecher said.
Schaecher said Labamba occasionally favors one of its legs, and the injury near its eye has healed.
Turpen is being held at the Jackson County Jail.
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
BobbyJohn
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
Please, folks, let's be reasonable here. What with jail over crowding, we need to save the spaces in jails for criminals who are harming PEOPLE, not birds. There are criminals who pull weapons on people and don't spend any time in jail because the jails have too many people in them who have committed minor crimes that are unpopular.People are put in jail to protect people, not animals.
krc
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
@Mush, what else do you suggest?
zip the cat
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
Well Melinda Morris the judge And we all know her track record for handing down sentences So its either probation or probation or probation Just a gut feeling.
BobbyJohn
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
Probation for a crime like this is appropriate. We need the space for those habitually harming people.
actionjackson
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 : 10:59 a.m.
Polly want a Tazer?
FattyJ
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 : 6:20 a.m.
"That bird will never forget (Turpen)," said Pokryfky. "(He) will remember that abuse forever." - a personification, assuming that a bird has a memory like a human. Although i agree that hurting animals is wrong....come on.
Mush
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
He'd have to screw up in prison to serve the maximum, but if he served the maximum, the cost to Michigan taxpayers would be $510,000 (15 yrs x $34,000 per year).
RJA
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
If I remember correctly the parrot was taken to the HVHS. I can't stand the thought of anyone injuring an animal, no matter how small or how large.
tikileahsmom
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 9:05 p.m.
I agree, the bird should not be returned to his mother. He got acess to the bird once and that was too much. Also he was never taught that shaking a bird can easily kill them. You just don't hit or shake birds no matter how angry you are. What a shame.
djm12652
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
I don't know about you but I sure do hope the bird-abuser doesn't have any kids....
ChelseaBob
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
4th degree habitual offender? Has he done this to other parrots? Can you find out what his priors were?
FattyJ
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
This is truly some hard-hitting journalism.
FattyJ
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 : 6:09 a.m.
Yes, that is what I'm saying. The accused obviously doesn't care about his image, so why give him the face time?
tikileahsmom
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
Are you implying abuse should be swept under the rug? Geez, I hope not......
Supervenient Man
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
The bird sounds vain.
Indicat
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
I hope the parrot is not returned to Mr. Turpen's mother.
Edward Vielmetti
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
Moderator's note: a post which called for a specific punishment for the accused was removed.
djm12652
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.
this Turpen guy is not the "accused", he pleaded out...and will be sentenced...albeit by the Honorable "I feel bad if I put criminals in jail" Mel
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
Kinda makes you wonder who the real animal is, Mr. Christopher Alan Turpen or the poor Parrot?