Sentencing Postponed

The August 21 sentencing date for Dick Miller and Jim Federer in the Rufus dognapping case was postponed until September 2.  No reason was given by Judge Slagle, but insiders speculate that the delay may be related the recent arrest of Betsy Miller.  Mrs. Miller has not yet been charged in the case and maintains her innocence while free on a $25,000 bond.

Betsy Miller Arrested in Dogapping Case

Betsy Miller, Town Council Chairperson, has been notably quiet since her husband Dick and employee Jim Federer plead guilty to the Rufus abduction on July 24.  Now we know why.  Chief Burley announced this morning that Mrs. Miller was arrested as an accomplice in the dognapping case.  “After several interviews Mrs. Miller admitted that she once told her husband to get Rufus out of town.  But she claims it was just a hypothetical discussion to sell him to an unsuspecting family out of state.  Dick put the plan into action and it worked like a charm until Rufus escaped from a Greensburg, Indiana family and found his way back to Pearlville.  We interviewed the Indiana family and believe them to be innocent victims.”

Cincinnati attorney John Cheatham read a statement from Mrs. Miller: “I have served the citizens of Pearlville faithfully for many years, always putting them first in my life.  Some irresponsible people thought it was a good joke to elect a dog to the Town Council, and it would be funny if not for the responsibility and vision required to see Pearlville through these difficult times.  Government is not a joke, and I will make no apology for wishing to get that dog off the Council.  But I took no part in it, and I look forward to proving my innocence.  It is tragic that a misunderstanding resulted in Dick and Jim taking action on what was nothing more than the kind of innocent wishful thinking that we all engage in from time to time.  I had no idea that they would act on it, and they did not tell me about it afterwards.  My heart goes out to Wayne Kobel for the temporary loss of a pet that he loves.  While this was a regrettable event for the town, I look forward to getting past this and continuing to serve the citizens of Pearlville.”

More Questions Than Answers

There were plenty of questions among the breakfast crowd at the Cozy Corner this morning regarding who knew what in the Rufus dognapping case.  Where is Betsy Miller and what did she know about it?  Why would Dick Miller dognap Rufus if Betsy didn’t put him up to it?  Etc, etc.  The common denominator voiced by many was that Betsy did not hide her antipathy towards Rufus on the Town Council.  “She had nothing against Rufus personally,” said George Heffernon, “she just could not stand having a dog on the council especially when he usually voted against her.  She thought we were all idjits for electing him.  I heard her say that more than once.”

Plea Bargain but Not Over

Pearlville Town Hall this morning: Dick Miller and Jim Federer accepted a plea bargain in the Rufus abduction case after both of them claimed innocence yesterday.  According to Assistant County Prosecutor Roger Kleinhofer, Mr. Federer was the first to admit guilt when presented with evidence that Rufus had recognized him during the abduction.  “There has never been a case in this county that resulted in a conviction based on the testimony of a dog, and he knew that.  He also knew that stranger things have happened and he didn’t want to go there.  Apparently there is some friction between Federer and the Millers, and once he broke he had no problem fingering Dick Miller as the leader of the abduction, which Mr. Miller then admitted.  We plea bargained to save the town from the potential national attention resulting from taking this case to trial.”

Both men are out on bond and sentencing is scheduled for August 21^st.  When asked if Town Council Chairperson Betsy Miller had any involvement, Mr. Kleinhofer said that the investigation is still ongoing.  “Anyone related to the two men may be persons of interest and may be interviewed for additional information before we close the investigation.”

Arrests in Dognapping Case

This morning Dick Miller, husband of Town Council Chairperson Betsy Miller, was arrested and taken into custody by Chief Burley.  Also arrested was Jim Federer, an employee of Miller’s at the Pearl Winery.   Miller and Federer are charged with the abduction of Rufus on May 31 in Wilmington.  Both men deny any involvement.  They will be arraigned today at the Town Hall and are expected to plead innocent.  Betsy Miller is outraged: “This is the most absurd thing that has ever happened in this town.  My husband is charged with dognapping based on the dog’s story?  Who is the chief kidding?”  Chief Burley’s comment was brief: “In two weeks of investigation we have found evidence and motive to support Rufus’s story.  It will all come out in due time.”

What is the story?

Rob Tricklefinger asked at the Cozy Corner this morning: “What’s up with the Rufus story?  Two weeks ago Wayne took him out to the Grassmans to get Klak to translate his dognapping story.  He even said that Rufus maybe knew who took him, and we hear nothing since.”  This question generated much speculation among the breakfast crowd.  Some thought Rufus had no story to tell, and some thought that maybe Klak couldn’t understand him.  “The key is that Klak said two weeks ago that Rufus might know who took him,” offered Joe Wittenberg.  “That plus two weeks of silence from both Wayne Kobel and Chief Burley.  Neither of them has been coming here for breakfast or lunch.  They’re avoiding us because they know something that they don’t want anyone to know until they know it for sure.”  “That’s all baloney,” said Ralph Meiker.  “I asked Wayne about it down at the Garden Center last week.  He said it wasn’t much of a story so he didn’t see any point in telling it.  He’s just glad to have Rufus back.”  That comment was greeted with skepticism by most, as Wayne is known to comment openly on lesser issues.  So, Wayne Kobel, Chief Burley, what is the story on Rufus?

DHS Report

The Department of Homeland Security toured the Pearlville area on July 15 inspecting potential sites for a maximum security facility to house prisoners currently held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Today Chief Burley received a letter from DHS with their report of the inspection.  The report was not very specific but included nothing to suggest that Pearlville will have Gitmo prisoners any time soon.  “They said that the subject will require extensive further review.  They probably have no idea what they plan to do because the situation is so political,” said the Chief.

Rufus Debriefed

Wayne Kobel reported this morning that Rufus spent two days at Grassman Camp during which he told his dognapping story to Klak Grassman.  “Klak just gave me the short version today.  Rufus was abducted by two men who sold him to a family with a little boy.  He escaped from the family who probably didn’t know he was stolen.  Rufus cannot tell how many days he was held by the dognappers or how far they traveled before they sold him.  But Klak says the longest time period was after he escaped.  He thinks they must have taken him pretty far away because it probably took him more than two weeks to get back home.” 

What about identification of one of the abductors as Klak suggested on Sunday?  “That part is not exactly clear at this point.  We need to dig into that some more”

Debriefing Rufus

Wayne Kobel told friends at the Cozy Corner this morning that he left Rufus at Grassman Camp to see if he will open up to them about his abduction.  Since returning home from the hospital on July 2, Rufus has recovered nearly 100% from his ordeal.  “The Grassmans understand dog language, and if he has any story to tell, Klak can translate it in sign language.  I think Rufus is ready, and I’d sure like to know what happened to him.”  Last week Wayne reported that Klak Grassman believes Rufus recognized at least one of his abductors.

DHS Visit Scheduled

Chief Burley has confirmation of a visit from the Department of Homeland Security scheduled for July 14.  DHS representatives will tour the town and potential sites for a high-security terrorist detention facility.  “Pearlville is in on their list because we are in a relatively remote area but within a couple hours of major airports in Cincinnati and Columbus.  Remote but reachable is the kind of site they want.”