ABOUT
Comins v. VanVoorhis
On May 19, 2008, a man named Christopher M. Comins shot two Siberian huskies in a field in Orange County, FL. A tourist happened to catch the shooting on video and posted it to YouTube.
I reacted by blogging about the events and how they affected me:
6/6/08: Christopher Comins: Barbarian Hillbilly Dog Assassin
8/17/08: Husky Shooter Update: Chris Comins May Face Charges
Thanks in part to a grassroots Internet movement and an online petition signed by thousands, Chris Comins currently faces third degree felony charges for animal cruelty.
I am now being sued by Christopher Comins for writing about what happened.
As a lover of dogs and of the First Amendment, I believe it was my right to speak out. I’ve decided to defend that right in court. Even if it means going into debt, I will not allow this rich and powerful bully to intimidate me into silence.
Instead of shutting up, I’m doing the opposite. I’ve created this blog to keep everyone up to date, on both the dog shooter’s criminal trial and on the SLAPP suit against me. In addition, in the near future I’ll be traveling to various colleges and universities throughout the state of Florida to speak about my situation and raise awareness about SLAPP suits in general.
Thank you to all who have offered support and encouragement. Please feel free to spread the word about my situation, and check back soon for updates.
To contribute to my Legal Defense Fund, click here.
please get intouch with me for i am going through the same thing you are. i have posted & reposted the huskies story many times & ive been keeping up with all the updates. today the trial began & i cant wait until the mess hits the fan. please contact me for my bassethound was shot & killed by my neighbor & he has sued me as well
Hopefully you will be fine. You have every right to blog about your thoughts and feelings on the subject. What a horrible, horrible person he is.
Does anyone know if they are doing petition on this? If so please please send the link to me.
Hi Naoko-
There were several petitions against Christopher Comins. Here are two of them.
Justice for Husky Dogs Shot in Orange County Florida
Max Sentence for Dog Shooter
A google search with the words “petition” alongside “Christopher Comins” or “dog shooter” should turn up several others.
As for the “Comins v. VanVoorhis” trial, no petitions so far that I’m aware of. However, if you know concerned citizens who want to help, be sure to spread the word that this is the site to do it:
http://www.lawrencewalters.com/billing/index.php?custid=7022
People can contribute to the blogger’s legal defense fund by clicking here.
So far it looks like Christopher Comins is targeting students and others who he thinks can’t afford to fight back. He’s apparently intimidated a lot of bloggers into taking their sites down that way. Effectively killed the grassroots movement that had been so effective against him before he started suing people. VanVoorhis caught Comins off-guard because he cares deeply about the cause, retained the services of the best First Amendment law firm in FL and I guess is willing to go into debt if he has to.
Chris Comins is a truly nasty character, and a real bully. If you read the comments from his ex-wives on various websites you’ll know what I mean.
I remember last summer this story was all over the blogs. Now it’s pretty hard to find anything recent about it. Either nobody cares anymore, or everybody got sued.
I am the owner of the Huskies. He tried to sue me as well. He tried to threaten and intimidate his ex wife as well when he found out she had contacted me. We both stood up to him. In my opinion he is nothing but a bully who seems to think arming himself and threatening people will make them back down. He is facing jail and he knows it. There are still a lot of people supporting the charges. The ALDF is monitoring the case closely. Fight people,fight. I would appreciate it if the author of the article would contact me as I would dearly love to speak to him.
From my personal viewpoint, Mr comins is the most despicable person I have had the misfortune to meet.
I was wondering how this case has turned out for you. I live in Anne Arundel County, MD and something similar has happened here in a dog park. I have owned huskies for more than 25 years. 4 dogs total and all have been rescue dogs. I currently have two young Sibe’s. I hope that you, your huskies and your family have recovered from this incident. I wish you well. Our local case involves a federal “off duty” police officer shooting a Siberian and killing him.
This case is still ongoing. I too have been following the Bear Bear case in MD. I am worried because people seem to think that justice will come swiftly. It is a long process, and I think they could learn a lot from studying what happened in Orlando.
Could not have said it better myself. All of the people who are so fired up now about “Justice for Bear Bear” need to realize that for anything they’re doing to ultimately make a difference, it will require several years worth of support. In Florida, that has not happened for Hoochie and Raley, which is why the prosecutor is now in a position to let him off the hook without anyone noticing.
By the way comins is trying to get the charges dismissed. He was due to have his hearing tomorrow 27th Aug. The prosecutor called me this evening to tell me she had asked for a continuance. The hearing will probably take place the first week in Oct. The state is forging ahead with felony animal cruelty charges. Don’t believe this is going away. He is not going to bully the state into stepping back.
The prosecutor is Erin de Young. If anybody still feels strongly enough you can write to encourage her keep the pressure on comins.
Chris Butler-
Couple things. What do you have to say about all these rumors we’ve been hearing about how the prosecutor & cops have told Comins this is all just a formality, that he will eventually get off, but that they just have to “pretend” to take this case seriously due to all the “political and community pressure.” Is that seriously how the law works in your bush league community.??
It is bullshit that Comins and his paid meatheads have a more signifivant presence at the courthouse than you & your supporters. I have a full crew from Virginia that I’d love to bring down for support for the next round of trials or whatever. But what’s the deal? Will it even make a difference? It truly sounds as if this case is already over and we’re all just going thru the motions (as much as I hate to say that).
Secondly, Mr. Butler, if I blog about this will I too be nailed by this dipshit dog missing prick?
I have a TON of readership, particularly in the ACC & SEC during football season, but I’m not about to spread the word and risk my reputation if I and I alone will liable for wharever horse shit charges this coward Chris Comins brings against me. Sounds like this VanVoorhis guy has been taken out of commission by these clowns. No offense, but I can’t take that kind of a hit on behalf of a stranger who seems to half-assing his way thru this thing.
Horrible.
Mr. Van Voorhis:
Our organization (www.voicesforellacf.org) has been following this case from the very beginning of Mr. Butler’s nightmare.
I read your on-line account of the incident (Barbarian Hilllbilly Assassin) and thought it was very accurate.
It will be a very sad day for America if Mr. Comins is not served his Justice and if you are not allowed the freedom of your thoughts/speech.
I hope that everyone that reads your blogs will read this and try their very best to attend the next hearing in this case. You can check back with our http://www.voicesforellacf.org website which will let you know once the next date is set – it should be the first week of November.
There have been 3 hearings so far. These hearings are being held on the defense’s motion to dismiss all charges. The attorneys for Mr. Comins are hoping to convince the Judge that the case should not be heard by a Jury. They want the whole case to be tossed out. Mr. Comins has paid a lot of money for expert witnesses and lawyers to make sure this all goes away.
Some of our members that have attended the hearings have reported that Mr. Comins’ supporters have been out numbering the supporters for Mr. Butler, Hoochie & Raley. We must show Chris Butler that we support him by making a great showing at the next hearing.
Please make every effort to come out. We will have a peaceful rally before the hearing – outside the courthouse. Keep checking out the website: http://www.voicesforellacf.org for the court date and rally times.
Keep up the fight – be the voices for Hoochie & Raley!
Thanks.
The next hearings are set for November 4th and 5th, both at 1:30 p.m. at the Orange County Courthouse, Room 7D, Judge LeBlanc. We will be holding a peaceful rally on both days starting at 12:30 in front of the courthouse. Please come show your support for Hoochie & Raley.
Stay updated by visiting our website: http://voicesforellacf.org/
The defense has filed several motions to dismiss all charges – they are trying to get the Judge to toss the case before it goes to the Jury. Please come help us show the Judge that this case is very important and that crimes against animals must be heard.
http://voicesforellacf.org/
i hope n pray that all goes well for u. i’m so very sorry that all i can contrubute r prayers….i’m on disablility n my home has just been foreclosed on…….
Christopher Comins has been denied by the Court to Dismiss..He will go to trial by Jury…Dates will be available…
God Bless you all.
Mean people SUCK!
This is an abomination. Yes I do understand that as owner of livestock they can protect them. BUT when the person can not even hit the broad side of a barn. And continues shooting the dogs when the owner is running towards him. There is a major problem ! If this was a police officer shooting a victim they would loose there badge. Why is this person still free???
Comins should have his day in court….But praying that things will go in favor of the DOGS as they need it. Comins needs to be placed in prison not jail and realize that this is NOTthe way to handle problems.
I forwarded your news links to a friend of mine, and she pointed out to me that the audio doesn’t work for one of the CBS news videos. I looked into it and sure enough the sound has been disabled for BOTH CBS news videos that reported on the Comins shooting.
At first I thought it was just the website, but then I clicked on other videos from the same date and all of them seem to work just fine.
Check it out:
June 1, 2008
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/16453702/detail.html#video
May 23, 2008
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/16374176/detail.html#video
If only you came to the court room and see the side-show. Comins has his new girlfriend and his buddies in the Court room along with his 3 attorneys. He, Comins try’s to show the appearance of importance. He shot two dogs that were playing in a pasture, that he did not own, not did he own the cattle. I have owned many head of catttle, believe me they can take care of themselves.
I didn’t know he had a new girlfriend. What about the woman whose son Comins threatened with a gun in 2005? Did she finally dump him for that?
Yes, he was married to the one, I believe, when he pulled the gun on her son. This is a new one, in fact there was another one in the Court room, that looked something like her, this one is a blond, maybe in her 40′s. I will pay more attention next time. She didn’t look to happy when people were testifying for the prosecution, it’s was like she was hearing a different story than the one she was told. She needs to check this guy out.
Well he’s had at least two wives, but according to this news story the one who’s kid Comins assaulted was only a girlfriend.
http://www.wftv.com/news/16464020/detail.html
What I can’t figure out is what the hell women see in this monster!?! Any guesses?
WELL, LADIES there is nothing that anyone would want in him, maybe his money? He looks like a frog, in a suit. I would rather work for a living.
I am writing on behalf of Animal Advocates of Moore County, located in aberdeen North Carolina. I am a volunteer for this agency, it is a privately funded animal rescue where the animals are fostered in homes of the volunteers, all of whom have their own pets, as of right now there are two of us who do dogs. Like I stated before, this is privately funded and we are spay and neutering all over the county as well as vet care for this poor animals. We would much appreciate it if you would consider us in your decision on which charity to donate to. We could surely use this donation for the medical upkeep on these animals and the kennels and fences that we also provide for people who cannot afford them. I myself have a pit bull who was used for fighting and breeding on my property and she is the sweetest and most gentle dog ever. I have seven dogs all of whom were rescued for abusive environments. Again, I would greatly appreciate your consideration.
He is suing YOU, ….YOU should be suing HIM….and he should BE IN JAIL for a long long time, but like most animal abuse cases, abuse and murder are not taken seriously by the sick pathatic society and juducial system we have, animal abusers should be treated and sentenced just like any other who abuses and kills humans!…..Good luck to you, and prayers for you and your dogs in healing both physically and emotionally…
Poor poor dogs. =( wtf is wrong with this idiot. He should be punished. He wasn’t protecting the cows, he was showing off with his gun. sicko.
CBS, NBC and ABC are a part of the government. They are called National TV and are controlled by the FCC. What you have presented will aparently shock viewers of these TV networks. Lots of TV shows are cancelled not because they are bad, they are cancelled because they are they have presented the truth. A recent TV show its American version – Life on Mars dealt with lots of things, the end of the Vietnam War, racism, homophobia. Many viewers may have liked the show, but they are told the show was unpopular hence it was cancelled. These three networks have to work within specific guidelines in which one is that never let anyone know the truth about anything. Show shows of hyper-efficient cops who solve crimes in a flash, when in reality there is so much and the police is completely incapable of preventing crimes leave alone solving them. The police has too many cases to deal with at any given moment. Doctors in hospitals are shown giving extra time to every patient, in reality doctors do not have the time to sit and chat, they have more patients to care.
Someone had the courage to show real life inside an ER – overcrowded, no beds, no medicines and many patients turned away because the ER could not handle additional patients. There was no personal interaction of patients with doctors. Real life ERs have car accident victims who have lost part of their face and limbs, too horrible for the fictitious show ER where there are just a few patients and doctors talk with them. It is stacked with medicines and machines are available for all patients – what complete stupidity. The Americans are fed lies because it is assumed that people will not be able to handle reality.
I really support what you’re doing…not many people could or would go to the lengths you have to keep free speech alive. Hope everything works out alright, and I hope this guy has to pay for his actions