Cockfighting still legal in AL, if you do it right ! [View all]

Jury: 5 defendants not guilty in cockfighting trial
By Nancy Glasscock

MOULTON — Five men on trial in connection with the 2011 raid of a suspected cockfight were found not guilty on all charges today by a Lawrence County jury.

Joseph Lynn Holmes, 36, of Hanceville; Larry Dale McCroy, 53, of Hanceville; Zackary Clay McLeroy, 33, of Cullman; James Russell Garnett, 34, of Vinemont; and Grady Darrel McCroy, 54, of Cullman faced charges of cruelty to animals and gambling on cockfighting in connection to the August 2011 raid.

Testimony began Tuesday and concluded with only one witness being called, Lawrence County Drug Task Force investigator Shannon Holland. Holland testified that through a confidential informant, he received information about a cockfight held at the edge of Bankhead National Forest at a residence off Lawrence County 81.
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Dutton also argued gamecocks are not animals, according to Webster’s dictionary, because they do not have four legs or fur.
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Larry McCroy said after testimony concluded he disagreed with {Judge} Craig’s instructions stating chickens are animals.
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more (not for the overly squeamish): http://decaturdaily.com/stories/Jury-5-defendants-not-guilty-in-cockfighting-trial,105415