Family still seeking answers in dog’s death
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Confusion, frustration and unanswered questions are still circling around an ongoing case involving a Washington Township family and the violent death of their German shepard six months ago.
Paul Zuro, his fiancée Holly Miller and a Valley-wide group of “Justice for Otto” protesters have not backed down from attending monthly Washington Township supervisors’ meetings demanding justice in the case involving the death of Otto, but several months later the case seems to be at a standstill.
Zuro said he and his family are “tired of being led in circles,” as he is currently unsure of who to communicate with regarding the case.
During a supervisors’ meeting last month, Solicitor Matt Kalina said to a crowded audience, including the Zuro family, that all evidence related to the case has been turned over to the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office for review.
This supposedly included all current evidence, but it is unclear if police have since received the other portion of information from the cellphones — or if the DA’s office has received it — as Washington Township Police Officer Christina Good said Wednesday the township was no longer commenting on the investigation.
After being told the DA was handling the case last month, Zuro said he has been in communication with the district attorney’s office, but is aware it is still an active case in Washington Township.
“Do you understand this is a township active case and it always has been?” he asked supervisors last night. “This is an ongoing Washington Township police matter. That contradicts everything you have said, that it is not here, it is up there.”
Supervisor Dan Moody confirmed the township has turned over all information gathered to the DA, explaining the problem is a matter of “semantics.”
“I think if the DA asks her (Good) to do anymore, she will, is that what you mean?” Moody asked Zuro.
“I am just saying this is not currently at the DA level, it is still an active investigation here,” Zuro replied.
Good then interjected to clarify the status of the case for the public.
“As I explained to you Paul for the 10th time, we have turned the information over to the DA. OK? At that point, the DA will review the information,” she said. “ I explained this to you earlier as well and I will explain it publicly so everyone can understand.
“So, he (District Attorney Richard Bower) will review the information. Once he reviews the information, he will give us his next step as to what he wants to do or if he wants to take it over. So, as of right now, we are waiting for them to give the information they have to give us, and we will go from there. If they decide to take the case over, they will do so.”
Kalina agreed with Moody, saying “whose case this is a bit of a semantics issue.”
“It is always the township’s case, but sort of who has the ball on it does change,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday any information about the case would have to come from lead Detective John Marshall, who was unavailable for comment.
The spokeswoman said the DA’s office was waiting on a report from Washington Township police to proceed with the matter.
Zuro invited Bowers to attend the next supervisor’s meeting Sept. 10.
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