Home Brentwood Brentwood: Christ Receives 80-Hours Community Service for Lying to Authorities

Brentwood: Christ Receives 80-Hours Community Service for Lying to Authorities

by ECT

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Today, the Contra Costa County District Attorney agreed to a Pre-plea diversion with Jonathan Christ which resulted in 80-hours of community service and a fine. The punishment stems from his role in the aftermath of two dogs being killed on Sept. 28, 2013 in Brentwood.

Christ reportedly lied to Contra Costa County Animal Control and obstructed an official law enforcement investigation for several days about what happened to “Luke” and “Jager” (pictured above) after being shot and killed by his father Randy Christ–Randy Christ was not charged in the shooting of the two dogs.

According to Bruce Flynn, Supervising Attorney for Contra Costa County, Jonathan Christ actions and fabrications obstructed law enforcement officials and delayed the investigation for a couple of days when it could have been finalized in a day.  For that, he was facing a misdemeanor.

Ultimately, they allowed Mr. Christ to be placed on a Pre-plea diversion for a period of 1-year with 80-hours of community service tied with County Animal Services or any animal rescue foundation.

Flynn explained that anytime somebody is charged with a misdemeanor and they have no criminal history they have the option in some cases to offer what we offer a pre-plea diversion. During the diversion period, the case remains open as they go through the diversion process. If they complete everything required, the case gets dismissed.

Flynn did say that regardless of personal feelings, they had to follow the law and the law says Randy Christ had every right to shoot the two dogs, however, the case today with his son was really a case against lying to law enforcement.

The following Press Release was put out today by Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office in December 2013:

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has completed a review of the killing of two dogs in the city of Brentwood on September 28, 2013. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office will not be filing any criminal charges against Randy Christ for the killing of the dogs because the killing of the dogs was not unlawful.  However, this office will file criminal charges against Randy Christ’s son, Jonathan Christ, for material lies and omission which delayed and obstructed a police officer in the discharge of their official duties, in violation of section 148(a) of the Penal Code, a misdemeanor.  The facts of this investigation are reported below.

On the morning of September 28, 2013, a neighbor and a passing cyclist saw two dogs (later identified as “Luke” and “Jager”) inside a chicken coop on the property located at 550 Creek Road, Brentwood, California, killing and chasing chickens.  The two dogs, owned by Ellen Barkley of Brentwood, had escaped from the back yard of the family residence earlier in the morning and were at large.  The neighbor called Jonathan Christ, the owner of the chicken coop, and notified him of the observations.  Jonathan Christ then called his father, Randy Christ, who was at the residence at 550 Creek Road.  Jonathan Christ told Randy Christ about the dogs killing chickens in the chicken coop.  Randy Christ went out to the chicken coop and found two dogs, an adult German Shepard and adult Rottweiler, in the act of killing and chasing numerous chickens in the chicken coop.  Some 20 chickens had already been killed by the dogs, and the dogs were actively pursuing other poultry.  At that time, Randy Christ shot and killed both dogs.

Later that same morning, Jonathan Christ arrived at 550 Creek Road and took three photographs, one showing the deceased dogs in the chicken coop, and two of the dead chickens.  Jonathan Christ then loaded the dogs and chickens onto his truck and transported the carcasses to 1300 Camino Diablo Road in Byron California, the address of G3 Enterprises.  Mr. Jonathan Christ was employed by G3 Enterprises at the time.  Jonathan Christ drove onto the property and dumped all the carcasses over an embankment into a ravine.  Neither Randy Christ nor Jonathan Christ reported the killing of the dogs to Brentwood Police Department or Contra Costa Animal Control Services.

On September 29, 2013 Brentwood Police Department was called to 550 Creek Road to investigate a disturbing the peace call.  Upon arrival, officers found Kathleen Barkley, the daughter of Ellen Barkley, at the residence attempting to obtain information from members of the Christ family about what happened to the dogs “Luke” and “Jager”. Contra Costa County Animal Control was called to the scene.  At that time, Jonathan Christ falsely reported to Animal Control that he had found the dogs in the chicken coop the day before and had confronted and killed them by beating them to death with a shovel.  He then stated that he took the carcasses of all the dead animals to a remote area of the county and burned and buried them.

In the early morning hours of October 1, 2013, Jonathan Christ took some ashes of unknown origin and planted them in an area on the G3 property.  Later that morning, Jonathan Christ took Animal Control Officer Miller to the area where he had planted the ashes.  He told Officer Miller that was the area he had buried the carcasses.  Officer Miller examined the site and took soil samples to be tested.

On October 3, 2013 an employee of G3 Enterprises located the carcasses that had been dumped in the ravine by Jonathan Christ.  Animal Control officers arrived on scene and collected the carcasses of the two dogs “Luke” and “Jager”.  Both dogs had been shot.  Animal control also collected two garbage bags filled with dead chickens and a dead white turkey.  Later that day Animal control officers contacted Jonathan Christ who confessed to lying about killing the dogs himself.  Christ explained that he made up the story about killing the dogs with a shovel, and about burning the remains, to protect his father from possible arrest for discharging a firearm.

The totality of the evidence clearly demonstrates that Mr. Randy Christ killed the two dogs while the dogs were found in the act of killing, wounding, or persistently pursuing or worrying poultry.  California Food and Agricultural Code section 31102 allows any person to kill a dog found in the act of killing, wounding, or pursuing or worrying poultry.  Therefore, Randy Christ will not be charged with the killing of the dogs or animal abuse in violation of section 597 of the California Penal Code.  Discharging a firearm in that area of the county was also not unlawful so no charges will be filed in that regard either.  However, Mr. Jonathan Christ’s lies and fabrications obstructed an official law enforcement investigation for several days, and created significant and completely unnecessary emotional harm to the owners of the dogs, and the community at large.  He will be charged.

 

Official Press Release October 4, 2013

Contra Costa Animal Services Close Investigation of An Incident involving Killing of Two Dogs

Martinez CA, On Thursday, October 3, 2013, The Contra Costa County Animal Services Department concluded their investigation of a case involving the killing of two dogs in the City of Brentwood, CA. The investigation has established that the property owner, Mr. Randy Christ, killed the dogs by gunshot. He did so when he found them inside of his sons chicken coop killing the birds. It is our belief these actions by Mr. Christ were legally justified due to circumstances that existed when he countered the dogs.

When initially interviewed, Mr. Jon Christ, who is both the owner of the birds and Mr. Randy Christ son, declared that he had beaten the dogs and disposed of their bodies in a fire. Jon Christ believed that his father would be criminally charged with discharging a firearm within city limits. He felt that disposing of the bodies and assigning the blame to himself would prevent that. We have established that Jon Christ was not involved in the death of the dogs.

On Monday, Jon Christ met investigators at a local quarry, where he directed them to an ash-pile that purportedly contained the ashes from all of the animals. This information was subsequently found to be false. Animal Service investigators excavated the site later in the week and did not find evidence supporting the claim that the remains were incinerated at the site.

On Thursday, 03 October 2013, investigators were able to confirm through multiple sources that Mr. Randy Christ shot the dogs. The same day, employees of the quarry located the intact remains of the two dogs and dozens of chickens. A Veterinary Medical exam confirmed gunshots as the dogs’ cause of death. There was no indication that the animals were beaten.

Although Jon Christ initial story was improbably, it initiated a firestorm of public outrage and hindered the investigation process. The agency will be presenting the facts of the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office next week. Any decisions on possible charges will be subsequent to that.

We would like to thank all involved parties for their patience as investigators worked toward establishing the facts of this incident.

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26 comments

JimSimmons42 Jun 26, 2014 - 1:36 pm

And people wonder why crime is not going down, no one is ever punished. Such a poor decision by the courts.

ECT Follower Jun 26, 2014 - 1:37 pm

ECT – I applaud you for staying down the middle, I know how you really feel about this. Must have been hard. Having said that, I think we should all begin lying to law enforcement if all we are going to get is 80 hours of community service. The Court System has failed Contra Costa County.

Karen Jun 26, 2014 - 1:38 pm

Not good enough. He deserves 500 hours minimum! He also deserves to pay the County for all resources used during this lying. Shame on the Court system. NOT HAPPY!!!!!! Not

Jen Jun 26, 2014 - 2:01 pm

He deserves to do more than 80 hours of community service. That’s nothing! Our system sucks. (Good to know though 》take care of business yourself = can’t depend on justice otherwise)
🙁

Erin Jun 26, 2014 - 3:18 pm

To Jen,

He did take care of “business” himself and I would have done the same. Unfortunately due to people’s personal feelings towards the animals, the whole issue got muddied up. This all comes down to being responsible, and yes I am talking about the dog owners themselves. We live in a society where everyone wants to blame everyone else for their LACK of responsibility.

Did Mr. Christ get what he deserved? Personally I think he would have done just fine if this went to trial. Probably would have got off without any community service. Chalk one up for the DA in playing the plea (bluff) game.

It comes down to this in the DA’s own words. “the law says Randy Christ had every right to shoot the two dogs”

That should have been the end of the story. So enjoy your punitive win.

Rocky Osborn Jun 27, 2014 - 9:22 am

This was never about him killing my dogs. He had every right to do so. I defend it. However they do not have the right to LIE DESTROY EVIDENCE and lead animmal control on a wild goose chase they knew was false for four days.Causing my family undue pain and suffering. Costing you and everyone else in this county thousands fof dollars. Thanks for your donation.

Erin Jun 27, 2014 - 9:34 pm

You are welcome and I’m glad to pay it. Imagine the pain you have caused him and his family. It works both ways Rocky.

Rocky Osborn Jun 27, 2014 - 10:04 pm

Any pain they suffer, now or in the future is their own creation. Only the criminal part is over. My dogs had I.D. on their collars. If he would have shot my dogs contacted me, I would have buried my dogs and paid him for a thousand chickens. It would have been over. But they are liars, with no character or integrity and are a disgrace to the fine city of Brentwood. So you defend them all you want. It only shows that you are just like them, and have LESS THAN A LIC OF SENSE. Nobody here wants your sympathy.

Bobby Lott Jun 26, 2014 - 2:21 pm

I get that people love animals, but if they dogs never got out and attacked chickens, they would be alive today and none of this would have happened. Could not fault someone for protecting their livestock.

p5ret Jun 26, 2014 - 2:41 pm

So I’m wondering when it became illegal to lie to law enforcement, because it isn’t. There is no such crime on the books in California. Yes it is illegal to lie to a FEDERAL OFFICER/AGENT, but not to any member of law enforcement in California. What he was charged with was interfering or delaying an officer section 148 of the California penal code, a misdemeanor. Anyone who thinks someone who commits a misdemeanor in this county with jail overcrowding is going to do any time in jail, needs to rethink it. Not long ago the DA stated that due to funding issues they would not even take the majority of misdemeanor’s to court.

As far as this particular case goes, a lot of people need to set aside their emotions about the dogs, and stop pretending the dogs and the dog owner were innocent or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Everyone would feel a whole lot different if the dogs had attacked a child instead of chickens.

Rocky Osborn Jun 27, 2014 - 9:17 am

I owned those dogs and never once said it was not my responsibilty. He had every right to kill them. However he does not have the right to lie, destroy evidence waste tax payers dollars and cause my family undue pain and suffering. You paid for animmal control to chase his lies digging up fake remains for four days. Thanks for your donation.

p5ret Jun 27, 2014 - 9:55 pm

And thank you for not exercising control over your dogs causing this whole fiasco in the first place.As far as my portion to the salary of Animal control, I think I can cover it, so don’t worry too much about it.

Rocky Osborn Jun 27, 2014 - 10:13 pm

You don’t even know what you are talking about or how my dogs got out, If you think that their actions are ok, then you are no different from them. No honor, no character or integrity. You probably beat your pet chicken as a child.

p5ret Jun 28, 2014 - 8:41 am

wow you can’t have it both ways either you are responsible for your dogs and their actions off your property as you have already stated or your not. Now you want to go into attack mode for everyone who says it was your responsibility, how typical and down right childish. You want to call me names and question my integrity, that’s fine you can play that game all day long it doesn’t bother me, and I don’t play those game’s.

I think the only person who doesn’t know what they are talking about and is trying hard to justify something here is you. Your own statements prove that, if this isn’t an attempt to justify or deflect blame why bring it up?

“also his chickens were illegaly housed according to city of Brentwood codes. Too close to a road and allowed to roam free.”

It probably also incorrect based upon the zoning for the area. I’ll bet that since it was probably zoned light agriculture before it was annexed into the city it is probably still the same. You may want to have a look at the zoning before you make statements you can not back up.

Arne Jun 26, 2014 - 4:50 pm

People need to reread what P5Ret wrote. He is correct. The owners of those two dogs should also be held responsible. Mr. Christ had every right to protect his chickens by shooting those dogs. The son, however, should have stayed out of it and Mr. Christ should have contacted Animal Control to come and retrieve the carcasses.

Julio Jun 26, 2014 - 5:46 pm

The only one right here is Bobby Lott. 80 for lying is probably enough. More than that would be too expensive to monitor him. I understand there isn’t a person alive who doesn’t lie anymore. It is the state of our country and its values. A sorry condition.

Chuck Jun 26, 2014 - 5:53 pm

1. Vehicle Code 31 VC — Giving False Information to a Police Officer

Vehicle 31 VC states, “No person shall give, either orally or in writing, information to a peace officer while in the performance of his duties under the provisions of this code when such person knows that the information is false.

This all I found

p5ret Jun 27, 2014 - 10:02 am

That only applies to a driver giving false info on a traffic stop, probably why is it is in the Vehicle code. Look at the section he was actually charged with 148 PC, Resisting or Delaying. Read the press release it very clearly states what the charge was.

ROCKY OSBORN Jun 27, 2014 - 8:54 am

You people defend that lying family all you want. Those were my dogs. I defend his right to kill them. However this family blantantly lied, led animmal control on a wild goose chase that they knew to be false ( costing you, the tax payer thousands of dollors for no reason) also his chickens were illegaly housed according to city of Brentwood codes. Too close to a road and allowed to roam free. My dogs were tagged. If he had just called me, we would not be here today. I would have buried my dogs and paid for his chickens. End of story. However this family LIED, COVERED UP MANIPULATED EVERYTHING!!!!.Causing my family great unecessary pain and suffering. Were is the outrage about costing you money. You all paid for his lies.He got a slap on the wrist. This family has no honor or integrity and are a discrace to the city of Brentwood

Erin Jun 27, 2014 - 9:37 pm

Rocky, your dogs trespassing on to his property is what initiated this and cost us all money. Had your dogs not been loose, he would not have been put in this position in the first place. Take responsibility and be the bigger person. It’s over. Move on.

Rocky Osborn Jun 28, 2014 - 7:10 am

His lies cost you money. Again no character, no honor, no integrity. You clearly are just like them. Bye.

pompous windbag Jul 12, 2014 - 6:20 am

Technically speaking you are still liable for twice the damages according to the agricultural code section 31501. Have you OWNED your mistake and paid up?

AG Jun 27, 2014 - 11:00 am

I am livid! This family straight out LIED and then acted like it was no big deal. While I cant say I would have shot the dogs but they cleary had tags one once he did. So he should have called animal control and let them pick up the dogs and chickens. He knew firing the gun was wrong and knew he was not within code for the chickens, 2 things that could have been avoided, or even overlooked had he done the right thing and called the authorities.
This was an unfortunate incident all around.
And anyone saying they are owed for the chickens needs to read the story. They CHOSE to not call animal control and make a report. They CHOSE to lie. And they CHOSE to destroy the evidence. Therefore making any claims of loss invalid.
I will personally make it known I am not voting for Flynn and I will encourage others to do the same.

p5ret Jun 27, 2014 - 3:24 pm

Just a hint, before you say your not voting for someone for DA, it may help if you know who the DA actually is. Bruce Flynn is not the District Attorney nor is he in a elected position that you vote on.

Erin Jun 27, 2014 - 9:31 pm

Hey AG,

Flynn is not elected. You can’t for him…..he isn’t on any ballot you fool!

The Christ family did not start this fiasco nor did they choose for the dogs to trespass illegally onto THIER property!

It pains me that posting stupid and erroneous comments does not qualify for jail time or community service.

The dog owner needs to take RESPONSIBLY. If this were any other country the DOG owner would probably be sent a bill for the bullets.

Take responsibility and move on. You are not going to get sympathy from the majority of people here, the DA or anyone else that has a lick of common sense.

JN Jun 30, 2014 - 11:04 am

what I don’t get is a majority of you continue to come down on the dog owner , but I haven’t seen or heard him try and escape responsibility , he has repeatedly said he understands why the man shot his dogs and had the man that killed his dog just told the truth he would have paid for the chickens paid any damages and took his dogs home and buried them? Accidents happen even to responsible dog owners, the only thing I have heard him fault the guys for is LYING

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