Information showing the neglect and abuse of the dog by the Cummings.
We allege that Norman Cummings Jr. placed the dog outside between the evening of 3.4.21 and the morning of 3.5.21 with the intent that the dog die of hypothermia overnight. The dog belonged to his wife who had recently left him and moved to Louisiana due to his alleged affair with a woman by the name of Darlene Boyce. The dog was also going to be high maintenance and time consuming. It was incontinent and had to be placed at food and hand fed at times. Darlene Boyce began hanging out at 150 Riverside Drive, the Cummings home on or about March 6th.
This is Buddy (Tucker) getting a warm bath on the evening of March 5th, the day he was found. This is at Ariana Marshalls residence.
This shows the extent of the flea infestation. Those are mostly all fleas in the bottom of the tub.
The infestation was so critical that the dog was suffering from anemia. Reference Veterinary records. (scroll down)
This is the dog resting after his bath at the residence of Ariana Marshall.
This shows the overnight low temperature that the 15 year old blind deaf and malnourished dog had to endure on the night of March 4th Into the early morning of march 5th 31° F.
This photo was taken the afternoon of March 5th the day Ariana Marshall found the dog.
This photo was taken the afternoon of March 5th the day Ariana Marshall found the dog.
Note the severe matting. Reference groomer statement Below.
This photo was taken the afternoon of March 5th the day Ariana Marshall found the dog.
Note the severe matting. Reference groomer statement Below.
Screen shot of conversation Ariana Marshall had with her friend in NJ on March 5th 2020 the day she found the dog. Part #1
Screen shot of conversation Ariana Marshall had with her friend in NJ on March 5th 2020 the day she found the dog. Part #2
Fenced Yard referenced in Norman Cummings Jr. written statement.
(see here)
This was the subject where Deputy Williams coached Mr. Cummings on his statement.
(see video)
On 7.25.21 at 12:30 am someone, presumably Norman Cummings Jr., made quite a commotion in the front yard. Car door slamming, honking and banging on metal so I (Steve Marshall) went to investigate. Whoever was in the front yard at Normans house ran around the far side of his house toward the back. After a short time had passed I heard the animal scream. Zero doubt it was an animal being killed. We believe this was the dog.
Since the commonwealth attorney brought charges claiming that Steve Marshall had stolen this dog from the Cummings, they had become victim witnesses with a magistrate issued EPO. Going to the aid of the animal would have been a Class 1 misdemeanor which carries a penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine as well as forfeiture of the $5000 bond that was posted.
Norman Cummings likely figured Steve would rush him to save the dog. When Mr. Marshall headed back deeper into his own yard and walked toward the back instead, the screaming stopped, the animal was dead.
Note: The sound of the screaming was much more intense than can be appreciated on this video. Much louder and much more piercing.