Cockrell Pleads No Contest in Double Fatal Livingston Mauling

Dog Owner Sentenced
UPDATE 09/18/08: The owner of the dogs that fatally attacked two people last year, Cheryl Harper, 56, and Edward Gierlach, 91, has been sentenced. Diane Cockrell, 52, was ordered to serve a minimum of 3 1/2 years to a maximum of 15 years in prison for allowing her American bulldogs-mixes to run free and kill two people in rural Iosco Township.

A separate article reported that Cockrell shocked some in the packed courtroom by saying she knew both victims and had spoken to them in the past. "I remember (Cheryl Harper) was just a light," Cockrell said. "(Ed Gierlach) was trying to teach me how to grow plants. He was a wonderful person, and I am just devastated to what has happened to all of you."

Members of the victims' families also spoke at the hearing. "My kid is now deathly afraid of dogs; I hope this doesn't affect her for the rest of her life," said Todd Harper, one of Cheryl Harper's sons. Todd Harper also read a letter his daughter wrote to the judge: "I really miss her hugs and kisses, her taking me to the pond to fish. She was the only grandmother I had left."

The judge has allowed Cockrell to delay serving her sentence until Jan. 2 so she can have previously scheduled surgery. Harper's sons objected, saying that by the end of the year they will have missed out on two Christmases and two Thanksgivings with their mother, but Cockrell will be with her family. The families also disagreed with the length of the sentence.

"I feel (Cockrell) deserved to get a harsher sentence," Todd Harper said. "When you take a life away, I don't think three years, seven month is sufficient. I feel she deserved at least five to seven years."

On the day of the attack, Cockrell was out of town. The dogs escaped her property and killed two human beings. A sign that hung on Cockrell's property read: "This property is maintained for the comfort and security of our animals. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT PLEASE GO AWAY."

08/20/08: Mandatory Jail Time for Dog Owner
Livingston County, MI - A woman whose bulldog-mixes fatally mauled two people in 2007 has pleaded no contest to three charges. Fifty-two-year-old Diane Cockrell of Iosco Township entered her plea today to two felony counts of keeping dangerous animals causing death and a misdemeanor count of allowing her dogs to stray. The plea isn't an admission of guilt but it will be treated as such for sentencing.

The prosecutor's office agreed to recommend a prison sentence of between 3 years and 7 months and 15 years. Each felony count carries a maximum of 15 years. Cockrell's sentencing in circuit court will be Sept. 18. Authorities say Cockrell's four bulldogs attacked 91-year-old Edward Gierlach in his driveway and 56-year-old Cheryl Harper nearby on September 13th, 2007.

Ms. Cockrell likely made a wise decision as a judge recently ruled that the prosecution could show photos of the victims to the jury. Edward's son, Eugene testified in a previous hearing that his father's body was missing flesh on his leg, including a portion that was '"just bone." Just a short while later, he saw what appeared to be a pile of debris in the road. It turned out what he saw was the body of Cheryl Harper.

Related articles:
07/27/08: Coverage of the Double Fatal Dog Attack in Livingston, Michigan