[houseoftechno]

I'm pretty sure he doesn't need a driver's license.

[kellyhound]

In Murray, Kentucky, a man attempted to evade a police chase while riding a mule. Jonathan Mason was arrested on Monday afternoon after leading several police cars through a road construction site on South 4th Street in Murray. Mason was arrested on charges of third-degree fleeing or evading police and second-degree cruelty to animals.

Mason was arrested two days earlier for similar charges after he was kicked out of a bar and attempted to ride the mule home.

According to the police department, officers responded at 9:09 p.m. Saturday to a local alcohol establishment for a report of an unruly person. Officers found that Jonathan Mason, 39, of Murray, had been asked to leave but refused.

Officers said Mason was outside the business and “manifestly under the influence of alcohol” when they arrived.

He had ridden a mule to the business and reportedly refused to stop when the officer ordered. According to police, Mason resisted when officers attempted to arrest him.

Witnesses said that Mason was seen mistreating the mule and whipping it an “unnecessary amount” at a different location.

The mule was stabled and Mason was arrested Saturday on charges of second-degree disorderly conduct, alcohol intoxication in a public place, third-degree criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and second-degree cruelty to animals. He was taken to Calloway County Jail.

[kellyhound]

The arraignment for a misdemeanor case involving allegations of animal cruelty and fleeing from police on a mule grew heated after the defendant repeatedly interrupted the residing judge and begged him not to send the mule back to the animal shelter.

According to a news release from the Murray Police Department, officers responded on Saturday night to a local restaurant – identified as Tap 216 on the uniform citation – in reference to an “unruly individual.”

Police said the individual, identified as 39-year-old Jonathan Mason of Murray, had been asked to leave but was refusing to do so.

The officer who responded reported that Mason was outside the business and was “manifestly under the influence of alcohol.”

Mason allegedly resisted arrest, and the mule he rode to the business was stabled at the Murray-Calloway County Animal Shelter.

Witnesses told police they had observed Mason whip the mule at a different establishment in town an “unnecessary amount” of times, in addition to other ways of mistreating the animal.

He was jailed and charged with six counts of second-degreedisorderly conduct (Class B misdemeanor); six counts of alcohol intoxication in a public place; third-degree criminal trespassing; resisting arrest (Class A misdemeanor); and second-degree cruelty to animals (Class A misdemeanor).

On Monday afternoon, officers were dispatched to the area where Mason’s mule had been stabled because of a complaint that there was “a male that seemed to be intoxicated and was riding a mule down the roadway,” the release said.

After an officer located Mason on his mule, he allegedly refused to stop and fled from police. He was apprehended by several officers and jailed again on the charge of third-degree fleeing or evading police (Class A misdemeanor) and another count of second-degree cruelty to animals.

Mason had initially been released from the Calloway County Jail on a $1,000 surety bond, but appeared from the jail via Zoom for Tuesday’s arraignment. District Judge Randall Hutchens said he was concerned that Mason had ignored the bond condition of staying away from the mule, which Hutchens had set because of the first animal cruelty charge. Mason said he had been told by an officer to go pick up the mule.

“I was told to go get the mule, sir,” Mason said. “He was living in the dog pound, Boss, he doesn't even like dogs. That was a horrible place for him.”

“I'm just saying, I told you not to,” Hutchens said. “I’m the one that decides these things.”

Assistant County Attorney Casey Naber explained that the initial animal cruelty charge came from mistreatment witnesses told police they had witnessed earlier Saturday evening at the Big Apple Grill and Bar before Mason was eventually arrested at Tap 216.

Hutchens said some of the allegations could also have to do with the shape the mule was in and the fact that Mason rode the mule all the way to Murray from Higgason Lane, possibly exhausting the animal.

Mason entered a not guilty plea, and Hutchens set his new surety bond at $2,500 cash. He also granted Mason’s request for a public defender and set Mason’s next District Court hearing for Jan. 7.

“Now, are you going to be able to stay out of trouble until we get this case resolved?” Hutchens asked. After Mason answered, “Yes, sir,” Hutchens continued, “All right, I won't revoke your bond today, and (if you) get arrested again, you'll sit there until next month.”

Individuals facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

[houseoftechno]

I hope the judge applied his horse sense and sent the mule back to the dog pound, or anywhere but with an abusive drunk.