AR-News: Deer Killer Allowed by Metro Parks Rangers to Tamper with Evidence!

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

Dear Friends,
 
Below is a press release sent this morning to Akron/Cleveland media.  It 
speaks for itself, telling an incredible story of corruption and criminal behavior.
 
Ranger/Thugs with Metro Parks Serving Summitt County allowed White Buffalo 
owner and infamous deer killer Anthony Denicola to tamper with evidence -- our 
video equipment -- which had been confiscated by Metro Parks ranger/thugs.  You 
will recall that that video equipment caught shooters leaving deer to suffer 
and flailing after being shot.  That footage is viewable at 
www.AkronDeerTorture.com.
 
According to Metro Parks' own investigation report, White Buffalo owner 
Anthony DeNicola was allowed, with the help of (at least) two rangers, to waltz 
into what was supposed to be a secured evidence area, view our video footage, and 
then delete it.  Apparently Mr. DeNicola didn't think the camera caught his 
best side.  So much for claims that DeNicola and Metro Parks have nothing to 
hide!
 
Unbelievably, and demonstrating the kind of sleaze we have to deal when it 
comes to Akron "authorities," there has been and will be no criminal 
prosecution, in spite of the fact that Tampering with Evidence is a felony according to 
Ohio law!  I encourage everyone who is dealing with DeNicola's deer massacres 
in their area to keep in close touch on this case, as it speaks volumes about 
the people involved.
 
We need to go straight to Bob Taft, the Governor of Ohio, and Ohio Attorney 
General Betty Montgomery.  There must be a special investigation by true law 
enforcement professionals, and an independent prosecutor who isn't in bed with 
Metro Parks ranger/thugs.
 
We will of course keep you closely updated on this incredible and disgusting 
story!  Please let us know what kind of response you get from the governor and 
the attorney general.  Below is their contact information.  Please call or 
write them!
 
Ohio Governor Bob Taft
77 South High Street
30th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6117
Phone: 614-466-3555 or 614-644-HELP
Send an e-mail by going to: http://governor.ohio.gov/contactinfopage.asp
 
Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro
State Office Tower
30 E. Broad Street
17th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3428
Phone: 614-466-3840 or 614-466-4320
Send an E-mail to the attorney general by going to http://www.ag.st
ate.oh.us/contact/inquiry.asp
 
Kindest Regards,
 
Steve Hindi
SHARK
 
 
Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK)
 
For Immediate Release     April 16, 2004     Contact:  Steve Hindi  
630-640-1889
 
Metro Parks Crimes Exposed!
 
Deer Killer Anthony DeNicola Admits to Evidence Tampering –
REPORT SHOWS METRO PARKS RANGERS COOPERATED!
 
A stunning internal "Report of Investigation," just obtained from Metro Parks 
Serving Summit County, indicates that Anthony DeNicola, owner of White 
Buffalo (a company hired to kill deer in the Metro Parks in February/March) 
illegally tampered with equipment owned by Showing Animals Respect and Kindness 
(SHARK).  Incredibly, the report shows that at least two Metro Parks rangers, Justin 
Simon and David Rankin, were involved with DeNicola in the premeditated 
decision to tamper with the equipment – which was supposed to be securely held as 
evidence – and delete the video documentation.  Tampering with evidence is a 
violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.12; a felony of the third degree, 
which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.
 
"To our knowledge there have been no arrests for the crimes of evidence 
tampering, the deletion of our documentation, or the damage to our property," 
according to SHARK president Steve Hindi.  "Tampering with evidence may be a felony 
according to Ohio law, but obviously Metro Parks officials consider 
themselves above the law."
 
Although the report indicates that rangers Simon and Rankin were subjected to 
a March 23 disciplinary hearing, there is no indication as to the findings.  
The actions of Chief Ranger Ray Dickson are also highly questionable, based on 
the report.  Dickson, who questioned Hindi extensively while trying to find 
evidence of criminal behavior for his videotaping of the recent Metro Parks 
deer kill, takes the opposite approach with DeNicola, repeatedly telling DeNicola 
that he “didn’t have to say anything” as DeNicola talks about his act of 
criminal evidence tampering.
 
"The fact that the Akron prosecutor's office is aware of the actions of 
DeNicola and the rangers and yet refuses to prosecute proves that there has to be a 
special investigation of this outrageous act of criminal misconduct, and an 
independent prosecutor assigned," says Hindi.
 
The Metro Parks internal report directly contradicts statements by its own 
spokesperson Susan Fairweather, who told reporters that park officials had not 
viewed the footage on the confiscated equipment, and that the equipment was 
returned in the condition in which it was found.  "Clearly," according to Hindi, 
"these statements were false."
 
Video obtained by SHARK’s undercover cameras can be viewed at 
www.AkronDeerTorture.com.
 
Copies of the "Report of Investigation" can be requested by calling Hindi at 
630-640-1889.
 









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“I personally cannot get overly worked up about the deprivation of human 
rights in a world where non-humans have no rights at all. Until animals and nature 
have rights, none of us have any rights at all because without animals, 
ecosystems and nature's diversity, rights are meaningless. Humans are a group that 
was never very successful to begin with. Overly territorial, obsessed with 
trivialities, violent, petty, and completely lacking in empathy for other 
species. The world would be a much nicer place without us." Captain Paul Watson 
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