Chapter 21 - The Trial Begins
Dale faced charges for animal cruelty, theft, fraud, arson, and assault.
The prosecution presented photographs from the kennels.
Microchip records connected several stolen dogs to his operation.
Former buyers testified that Dale sold puppies using false health certificates.
Shelter employees admitted he used fake identities to adopt animals.
Grace became the central evidence.
Her scars matched restraints found at the gravel yard.
Her DNA connected her to the puppies.
Blue paint on the roadside rope matched the storage building.
Dale’s attorney argued Charles Whitmore controlled every company property and must have known everything.
Charles admitted he suspected illegal activity but denied knowing its scale.
The jury heard the email ordering the security footage deleted.
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Charles was charged separately with obstruction and evidence destruction.
The family name no longer protected him.
