Response to Officer Middleton, Therron Hubbell, Bill Hepburn Court Transcripts
Testimony Officer Monquenec Middleton
Defendant’s Response to Court Transcripts
Page 665
1. Between 2012 through December 2016 Willa Bagwell was the Director of Animal Friends of the Valleys. Beginning 2012 Animal Control was out at least 2 times per year. Until the raid on June 6, 2017 there at Oak Meadows Ranch, Craig or Debbie or the Board of Directors at the ranch were never given any type of warning or to correct something than make sure 4 dogs are licensed. The whole ranch was inspected including dog kennels and the dog kennels never changed for 1 ½ year prior to June 6, 2017. Animal Control never had an issue with the dogs or how they were housed. Debbie was on good terms with Willa Bagwell regarding harassment by certain volunteers when they couldn’t buy a certain horse. Animal Friends of the Valleys also experienced harassment and Willa asked for the name of the attorney Craig and Debbie were using. Craig and Debbie were also on good terms with Officer Middleton. Officer Middleton even emailed Debbie on July 8, 2016 for Craig and Debbie to meet her at a property to pick up 2 horses. Craig and Debbie did and housed the horses and called out DVM Huth and a farrier paying out of their own money for both. A DVM Cobb prior also checked both horses. Neither one of the Veterinarians diagnosed the one horse that she was pregnant. The two horses would be known as Majestic and Fawn. Debbie has many photos of the day the 2 horses were brought to the ranch and during the time DVM Huth came out to inspect them and the farrier getting their hooves trimmed.
Page 660
22. Most of the time when Animal Control came out our DVM Charles Edgerly also known as “Doc” was on the property during inspections. Each horse was checked. Animal Control walked the entire ranch. There was never any advise on how to care for something or make corrections until June 6, 2017. Director Willa Bagwell agrees to that fact even discussing it today. Approximately in July 2024 Craig and Debbie talked to Willa Bagwell. Since Willa Bagwell was the Executive Director of Animal Friends of the Valleys during 2012 until the end of 2016 Debbie requested Mr. Bruggeman to have Willa Bagwell as a Defense Witness. On the day of jury selection Debbie would learn that not one piece of defense evidence would be presented to the Judge and Jury but not even important witnesses such as volunteer Kathy Smith that was at the ranch everyday, volunteer horse trainer Chawn Kenavan that helped with feeding, giving the horses water, mucking and grooming and Willa Bagwell would not be called. All 3 should have been called to testify. Debbie’s photos and videos should have been shown.
Page 661
1. Again Willa Bagwell should have been called as a witness. Animal Control did not provide any education. Most of the time DVM Charles Edgerly was present when Animal Control came out. He was a highly respected Veterinarian and he inspected the horses daily. He also checked the horses if they needed teeth floating. He took continued education in teeth floating. He was an equine and small animal Veterinarian. From 2016 when he had his health problems to 2018 only 5 horses needed their teeth floated in 2018 which it was done.
Page 668
11. Officer Middleton left with 6 cats not 8.
13. The cats were in a brand new log cabin. It was a 8 x 15. The cats were in a 8 x 10 area. When Craig was in Utah caring for his sick dad on June 2, 2017 the Animal Control officer called Craig and discussed the inspection. She said she walked the entire area that the horses were. She had no complaints or issues regarding what she saw. There were currently several volunteers on the property. She did ask about the mule and Craig informed her Craig would be calling a Veterinarian when he got home.
Page 668
11. There was 6 cats in the log cabin. Officer Middleton only took 6 cats. She said she just had a cat adoption and was out of cats. The cats were healthy and fat.
13. The log cabin receipt says the actual size was 8 x 15. 8 x 5 for the storage area, 8 x 10 the area 6 cats were living. Most bedrooms in an average size apartment or house is 10 x 10 that includes a closet. The log cabin was purchased as a rent to own with a ceiling vent, 2 windows. 1 chair for Debbie and 2 cat trees that no one mentions. It also had a cat door before any cat went inside. Many use this as a man cave or she shed.
Page 669
At no time did anyone inform Debbie that Poppy had an issue.
14. No animal on the ranch was underfed. Poppy wasn’t underfed. Once her companion died she wasn’t eating like she usually did.
Page 671
5. The chickens were housed in very large chicken coops. Some chickens do molt that time of year. There was no featherless chickens. Some with bare backs which is common. The chickens have always been healthy. Chickens get bare backs due to roosters. Each chicken coop had a 2 gallon galvanized water container filled everyday. Chicken feed was nearby in metal containers that had Diatomaceous Earth, Chicken Scratch and Lay Mash. The water container Officer Middleton is referring to that was an upside down Sparklets bottle was not used for 6 months because it was broken.
Page 672
1. The big dogs the smallest dog kennel was a 5 x 10. The largest 10 x 10. All had an Igloo dog house, 20 quart horse bucket for water, they had misters, windscreens, shade cover and pavers. The dog kennels were hosed out first thing in the morning such as 6:00 AM. Usually again around 10:00 AM and evening. There was no feces seen. Dogs were walked daily. The routine of the dogs never changed when the first Zeus was poisoned November 19, 2014. Only a couple of dogs were on a zip line which was recommended by Officer Tucker. Craig and Debbie were told it is legal for a dog to be on a zip line.
9. One White German Shepherd was inside because he had an injured leg. He was kept in a large appropriate size dog crate for a German Shepherd so he’d stay off his foot.
13. The trailer they refer to is a 39 ft luxury RV with 3 slide outs. It’s 400 sq ft with 2 air conditioners. The photo the DA would show is not the correct RV the DA shows to the jury is a 24 ft motorhome. There was 6 Pomeranians. Mom, dad and 4 grown up adult puppies that had been living in Canyon Lake. All were spayed and neutered around 5 to 7 pounds each. Each dog crate was sufficient room for 2 small Pomeranians. That’s what they preferred. They were sleeping and cuddling next to their companion on fresh, clean bathroom towels with water. It was a regular sized bath towel from Walmart not a hand towel. It was so large the towel had to be folded. There was no feces or urine on the towels or crate. The crate was only closed if Craig and Debbie were not in the RV and the air conditioner was set at 72 degrees. Photo of 5th wheel RV was of the 24 ft business motorhome in court.
26. The RV came with an automatic vent fan, 2 air conditioners and the air conditioner was set at 72.
Page 675
8. The oscillating fan had never been knocked over and it was always on. If it was on its side then Animal Control knocked it over.
Page 679
1. None of the dog kennels had dirt. They all had pavers or partial horse rubber mats.
8. No feces or urine yes dogs shed.
12. There was no cardboard inside dog kennels. Debbie was real anal about keeping dog kennels fece free. No visible feces and urine was always hosed when present. Craig and Debbie know nothing about a piece of cardboard unless it blew there.
Page 680
14. German Shepherds and Great Pyrenees.
19. The smallest dog kennel is 5 x 10 purchased at Tractor Supply.
Page 682
24. The dogs when volunteers and visitors weren’t on the ranch had 21 acres to roam. Lucky dog ran free 24/7. Lucky 24/7 was seen and photographed in hundreds of photos and videos. She was never in a kennel. She came with the ranch. The dogs got plenty of attention and exercise.
Page 683
1. There was a dog zip line a dog named Sara used. Red Zeus II also used a zip line that was ok’d with Officer Tucker.
Page 685
3. Craig and Debbie were told to install drainage around the dog kennels. Debbie has photos that included a trench, PVC pipes and gravel. Craig and Debbie worked day and night trenching etc. Craig and Debbie were told to install a dog run which they did. That was all the improvements they were told to do and did. All Debbie was told to do about chickens was remove some from the large chicken coop which she did. Since they weren’t use to be outside of the chicken coop they got eaten my coyotes. Everyday the chickens got fresh water and chicken Scratch and Lay Mash. There was always chicken feed on the property everyday.
Page 686
1. The chicken coop was a 10 x 12 with lots of windows and ventilation. Debbie has photos. It has a large screened in patio area. There was never 100 chickens in the chicken coop. Many believe it was the best chicken coop they ever saw. There were smaller chicken coops like you can buy at Tractor Supply that housed purebred chickens such as Silkies that were in the screened chicken patio area. Not inside the actual chicken coop. There was a pond on the ranch that about 35 ducks would come and visit in the morning that Debbie fed. Volunteers may have thought the ducks were Debbie’s. Debbie has photos.
25. There was always chicken feed on the property in metal containers (common with most chicken owners) under the No Smoking sign. Each had an empty chicken feed bag on top in case it rain so rain didn’t leak on the feed bag.
Page 687
1. Animal Control came at 10:00 AM not all of the morning chores were done. Chickens were fed daily and given fresh water daily. That morning of the reinspection Craig and Debbie were still trenching, placing piping and placing river rock around the dog kennels.
14. The large Sparklets bottle hadn’t been used for 6 months it was broken. The large chicken coop had 2 2 gallon galvanized water containers. Each chicken coop had 2 2 gallon galvanized water containers purchased at Tractor Supply costing approximately $28.00 each.
Page 691
5. The key to the Log cabin for the cats was on Debbie’s key ring also in the ignition of the golf cart and inside the RV.
17. Debbie brought out the cats healthy and fat with no health issue. There was a full bucket of cat food inside the log cabin. A box of cat litter in the back of Debbie’s truck. Canned cat food in the RV.
Page 693
18. Mold on feces can grow 24 to 48 hours. These cats pooped on the surface. At that time Debbie’s mom was sick and daughter went missing, just vanished. The 2 litter boxes went a few days without being cleaned. At the time Tractor Supply litter was used and its not the quality of Pretty Litter.
Page 695
1. The cats were fed the night before and given fresh water.
Page 698
13. No one informed Debbie before the June 6, 2017 raid that there had been a problem with Poppy. Once Craig was informed Craig said he would call out a Veterinarian.
Page 703
The Animal Control Officer on June 2, 2017 told Craig on the phone that she did see all the horses and mule.
Page 704
9. The majority of the dogs were on the hill near the RV. The Pomeranians were inside in an air conditioned RV with an auto vent. The only reason the Pomeranians were in a crate is because Craig and Debbie weren’t there. That’s what the dogs liked. It was also for their protection because such as Jill and others opening doors. The Animal Control officer could have walked up the hill and looked at the dogs.
Page 707
10. The dogs weren’t kennel crazy they are security dogs and a stranger is walking by. They were walked daily and released daily. Animal Control never had a problem with it in prior inspections. Debbie has hundreds of photos of the dogs being walked and roaming the ranch. Not one piece of defense evidence was shown to the Judge and Jury.
Page 710
26. On July 8, 2016 Director at Animal Friends of the Valleys had Officer Middleton email Craig and Debbie to meet Officer Middleton at a location in Menifee to pick up 2 horses. Debbie had spoke to Officer Middleton that day for a few hours. Officer Middleton never had a problem with Craig and Debbie until June 6, 2017.
Page 717
9. Officer Middleton was getting calls because a group of disgruntled volunteers formed a group because they weren’t able to purchase a horse that they wanted. If Officer Middleton was getting calls and emails she should have contacted Craig or Debbie. Officer Middleton had secret meeting with these disgruntled volunteers that couldn’t get the horse of choice. Then formed a private Facebook page. The sign out front made it clear it was a rescue / sanctuary Craig and Debbie weren’t in the business to rescue and then sell horses. It was about rescuing horses and sharing them with those that come to the ranch. Many find mucking, cleaning horse buckets, giving fresh water, grooming horses, feeding horses relaxing.
Page 723
1. Craig and Debbie had a young lady volunteer Kara Johnson for a little over one year that wanted to purchase a sanctuary horse named Goldie. She knew from the beginning of volunteering that horse wasn’t available. The horse was a sanctuary horse. The owner had several offers of $3,500.00 for her. The owner would rather the horse be donated to the ranch to be shared with those that wanted to be with horses. Never to be sold. She was a gold Palomino Parade horse. Approximately February 2014 since she became angry and even involving her father to come to the ranch Craig and Debbie decided it was best she no longer visited or volunteered at the ranch. At that time the harassment included contacting Animal Friends of the Valleys Director Willa Bagwell and the city of Wildomar. Craig and Debbie have an email from Willa Bagwell regarding the inspection of the ranch at that time. The harassment continued on Facebook that thousands saw. Then Craig and Debbie hired Raxter Law and that Kara Johnson received a Cease and Desist letter. Within approximately 12 hours of her receiving the Cease and Desist letter Craig and Debbie’s German Shepherd security dog was poisoned and died. At no time after the dog died were dogs not released at night to be security dogs. Debbie has many photos of dogs running around the ranch and being walked by leash. Craig or Debbie never said dogs were stopped from roaming the property other than when volunteers and visitors were on the ranch. This was misleading to the Judge and Jury. Commenting about the wrong sizes of dog kennels making them sound smaller, incorrect size of the log cabin where the cats were living making it sound smaller, testimony saying the dogs were only in the dog kennel once the German Shepherd was poisoned. To this day Kara Johnson harasses and says lies to the horse community. Even admitting on Facebook what she has done over the years.
Page 726
1. In the rainy season streams of water flow from the mountain. Debbie gathered rocks on the property to direct rain water away from the dog kennels and chicken coops. The dog area had not changed in 1 ½ years and had been inspected several times by Animal Control and Animal Control had no issues with the dogs or chickens. In fact October 11, 2016 Officer Tucker inspected 11 items on the ranch that included chickens and he said chickens don’t matter. At no time before June 6, 2017 was there an issue with how the dogs were kept, exercised, size of dog kennels or water flow. Officer Middleton did make a recommendation about the type of drainage which took Craig and Debbie day and night to do before the next inspection. Officer Middleton also wanted a large dog run and to release some chickens from the large chicken coop. Which Debbie did and unfortunately once released because they were use to living in the chicken coop got ate by coyotes. Officer Middleton makes it appear the large chicken coop was small. It was large and well ventilated. Many screened in windows. Wire cages or dog crates weren’t stacked on top of each other. There was also a screened in patio area for the chickens connected to the chicken coop. There was a ladder so the chickens could go in and out at any time. Material alone cost $3,500 for Craig and Debbie to build in 2012. The chickens liked to sit on top of the roofs of other smaller chicken coops. Craig and Debbie had no knowledge of a reinspection in approximately 2 weeks other than to view the drainage around the dogs and the added dog run. This inspection was at 10:00 AM and Craig and Debbie were still doing their morning animal chores. Craig and Debbie thought Animal Control would only be like 15 minutes on the ranch just inspecting the dog area. Then they could finish their chores. Chickens were fed the night before and the 2 gallon galvanized water containers filled. There was chicken feed on the premises in metal containers under the No Smoking sign. The inside of the chicken coop contained Diatomaceous Earth (gray) known for chickens dusting off their feathers. What Officer Middleton saw was not mud or dirt. Craig had already mentioned he sprayed daily for flies but that morning he did not. Many people that don’t even have animals complain about flies. During the reinspection Edison came and turned off the electricity, the excuse the well didn’t have proper permits. They had no plans to turn back the electricity, so Craig and Debbie had no choice but to move. Once the power was shut off they went to Costco and bought 2 generators. Water was never trucked in. Craig then approximately the end of June 2017 to Animal Friends of the Valleys and met with Neil Trent the new Director and Officer Middleton and said that Craig and Debbie would be moving due to no electricity. Craig was informed there was no on going investigation.
Testimony Therron Hubbell
Defendant’s Response to Court Transcripts
Page 731
15. Therron Hubbell started coming to the ranch and volunteering May 2014. If contacted Oak Meadows Ranch by email May 19, 2014. Therron Hubbell’s last day on the ranch was November 28, 2015. If you compare the testimony in the 2 Preliminary hearing he responded differently.
Page 735
25. Therron didn’t know much about horses. DVM Charles Edgerly was at the ranch daily for several hours. DVM Charles Edgerly known at the ranch as Doc advised on how much and of what to feed the horses including supplements and medication. Doc’s granddaughter’s at that time (Lily and Abby) usually fed late afternoon.
Page 737
25. Craig never responded to Therron that horses didn’t get more food because he couldn’t afford it.
Page 738
8. Therron for a period of time was the go to person for volunteers and visitors. Craig was always the Ranch Manager. Barbara Barnaba started at the ranch May 2015. Barbara was the Equine Therapist and would be the go to person for volunteers and visitors. Barbara was also the one that did the morning feedings starting May 2015. Some late afternoon feedings. At the time Lily and Abby Doc’s granddaughters did late afternoon feeds.
Page 743
1. Craig and Debbie never had 80 to 90 horses or more horses.
2. Doc was a Licensed Veterinarian and took up refresher classes on teeth floating. DVM Charles Edgerly always checked the horses teeth. That’s why in May 2018 every horse’s teeth was examined by a Veterinarian and it was determined only 5 horses needed their teeth floated and it was done.
Page 744
1. Craig and Debbie didn’t have 80 plus horses and a farrier came out every 2 weeks. 5 horses were done at a time. Other horses were done by some sponsors.
Page 748
3. Craig and Debbie received $800 for the feed and care of Elizabeth Wiley’s 13 horses plus 1 mule that included JJ.
Page 749
9. Daily there was at least 5 volunteers mucking stalls. There was not a foot deep of manure. Kathy Smith was on the ranch daily mucking and other volunteers. In 2016 and 2017 one of the evening feeders was Aaron Waters and would have another volunteer help him and if there was not Craig would help.
Page 751
7. Granite Shield chemicals came bottled by the chemist.
Page 752
7. Craig never said the chemicals can kill you. Even household cleaning products can kill you. MSDS sheets were available. MSDS sheets were even on the computer at the office. Craig and Debbie have been around the chemicals since 2002. Packaging products. There is 3 chemists. Most of the products are water based. Nitril gloves and masks were near by.
12. There had always been available some horses available to purchase. Just not the sanctuary horses or personal horses. There was an Adoption Form on the Oak Meadows Ranch website. Horses that were rideable since there were very few or equine therapy horses were not available. Visitors came to the ranch wanting to ride horses. That’s why out of Craig and Debbie’s own money purchased rideable horses. Therron Hubbell wanted to purchase the horse Duchess that was a sanctuary horse that was used as a therapy horse.
Page 755
1. DVM Charles Edgerly checked every horse and animals for 4 years. This is what gave Doc a purpose. He enjoyed coming to the ranch everyday. He was very respected by other Veterinarians, Craig was very well trained by Doc. Doc wanted Craig to do things properly. Doc knew his license would be on the line if it wasn’t done right. Doc had no complaints about Craig. Therron did respect DVM Charles Edgerly until they got into an argument in the tipi. Therron just got back from a 2 week Teeth Floating course. Therron wanted DVM Charles Edgerly to join him teeth floating horses to start a business together. “Doc” wanted no part of that. “Doc” didn’t want Therron to teeth float any of the horses on the ranch. Doc went to medical school learning how to teeth float. The argument was so bad there’s a tradition something Native American’s do like walking the opposite way in a circle in a tipi I believe it’s to get rid of the bad spirits. From that point “Doc” and Therron only talked when needed. After the fight none of the relationships were the same. Therron was different after coming back from Teeth Floating Course. Therron and Debbie talked often and got along great during the time Therron was there. Someone accusing Oak Meadows Ranch not feeding the horses enough Therron defended the ranch. Craig and Debbie fed per Doc’s instructions. The ranch was very well stocked in medicine and Doc trained Craig how to use it. Like if a horse needing antibiotics it was on hand. Craig and Debbie purchased medicine for the ranch through Doc at Doc’s cost. Thousands of dollars worth. Still to this day Craig and Debbie have prescribed medicine that was ordered by Doc. The same applies with Paige Heatherly defending the horses are getting sufficient hay and grain. When Paige was volunteering at the ranch she would assist DVM Charles Edgerly. That’s why this is so shocking. On Therron’s birthday Jennifer Burton and Brandon Almeida threw him a birthday party. Debbie has the video.
18. There were not hundred’s of chickens in chicken coops or free range. Free range if there was hundreds you’d see hundreds running around in photos. Just like in photos inside the chicken patio area there wasn’t hundreds. You see them sitting on top of the small chicken coop roofs. There wasn’t hundreds. Different breeds of chickens molt different times of the year. The visiting ducks that would fly to the pond each morning Debbie would feed. There was about 35 then after eating most would fly away. Debbie didn’t ask Therron to feed chickens. At that time Therron was there 1 gallon plastic water containers were used. The problem with those the ground really has to be level. That’s why they were sitting on a paver. The chicken patio area had 2. Outside of the chicken coop patio area the water were spread out.
Page 756
24. There was never 9 cats in the house or the log cabin. There was 6 at the most.
Page 757
7. There was one horse named Princess and one that resembled Princess named Spirit. There was also another one named HeeLee that looked like Princess. Craig and Debbie had an Adoption Day and HeeLee and Bella were adopted out. Craig and Debbie loaded both horses in the horse trailer on October 16, 2015 and took them to their new home in Winchester. Debbie has the video.
Page 759
6. Like all horses as soon as Craig was informed something was wrong with Princess he called DVM Charles Edgerly. Craig did what DVM Charles Edgerly said to do and he rushed over. Anytime Craig and or Debbie heard there was something wrong with a horse they dropped everything to get to that horse or animal if help was needed. Debbie tried her best to be present when something happened especially if a horse needed to be put down. Debbie would have to put a lead rope on Lucky because Lucky wanted to help the horse. She knew something was wrong. Craig is very caring to horses. Giving them kisses. But he’s like that with all animals.
15. Therron was not there when it was dark. Princess was euthanized before dark. In June it’s dark around 8:30 PM. Volunteers and Visitors are not allowed on the ranch when an animal is euthanized especially one suffering from PTSD. Princess was one of Elizabeth Wiley’s horses and Debbie sent an email June 9, 2015 Princess passed away. Experiencing a horse dying or needing to be euthanized is not a good experience.
Page 760
7. June 9, 2015 at 9:25 PM Debbie wrote Elizabeth Wiley the owner of Princess saying “Hi Elizabeth I’m sorry to have to say Princess passed away this evening. She was a happy horse until the end. We are sad to see her go.” Always when there is something wrong with a human or animal Craig and Debbie go as fast as they can to see what happened and then call Doc. He always rushed over. Just like when Zeus was poisoned. Debbie called Doc right away. Doc and Lee were in Temecula and rushed to the ranch. Therron was also there standing by the feed room. Debbie was crying as Zeus was dying. Blood coming from his mouth and throwing up. Craig, Debbie, Lee and Doc rushed to an Animal Hospital in Lake Elsinore. This was November 19, 2014. Doc and Debbie were so close that approximately April 29, 2016 Debbie sensed something was wrong because Doc wasn’t at the ranch. Craig tried calling him and he wouldn’t answer. There was a scheduled board meeting. Doc was a board member. Craig called Lee. Lee was doing errands and rushed home and found Doc on the floor of the bathroom. He was then rushed to the hospital. It’s not that simple with a horse. When it’s down you can’t just pick it up and carry it to the car like a dog. The case of Princess once Craig got the call Craig rushed over. Called Doc and he said what to do until he got there. Doc has done this numerous times. Has come out like even 11:00 PM and Lee has the car headlights on. The same with Spring. Spring colicked. Doc’s granddaughter Lily was there and helped Craig. Craig did what Doc said until he got there. It was dark and Spring’s life was saved. She lived to be about 40. When she went down a Veterinarian was called and she had to be euthanized. Both times Debbie has photos and video of Spring. Numerous times on Facebook you will see horse owners ask what to do when a horse colicked. That they call numerous Veterinarian’s and they can’t come out until the next day. That’s why many have Banamine to help the horse with the pain and that’s what happened with Princess. With horses just like humans you can be fine one minute and the next minute you’re dying or dead. Debbie had a similar one with her diabetes. Debbie’s blood sugar got over 600 and was found unconscious on the bean bag in the bedroom. She was in a diabetic coma. Debbie had to be carried to the car by Brandon Almeida and drove to the hospital. Debbie almost didn’t get revived. Debbie is currently on a sensor Dexcom monitoring her blood sugar level. It goes very high and then can gets very low. Debbie didn’t know Diabetes runs on her dad’s side of the family. Debbie was diagnosed in early 2014. Debbie lost 50% of her eye sight. Like someone had a light dimmer and dimed the lights 50%. Debbie went to the doctors and was diagnosed with diabetes. For 6 weeks Debbie’s eye sight was dim. All sugars were cut out and alcohol. Then one day Debbie read that Cabernet wine is good because of the tannins. Debbie had a glass of Cabernet and ger eye sight came back immediately 100%. Debbie has worn glasses to see far since she was 13. Drinking the red wine each time she went to get an eye exam the doctor says her sight gets better and better. Debbie is sensitive to the heat since then and had to rest to have strength. There was a time when Therron was on the ranch and Debbie was very faint and Therron came over and took her blood pressure.
14. It wasn’t 11 plus hours. Princess was not like that for hours. Not that Craig and Debbie are aware of. If she would have been Craig would have asked anyone on the ranch to leave. Therron suffers from PTSD and Craig and Debbie did their best to not have things such as this to affect Therron.
Page 761
7. The last day Therron was on the ranch was at a Gymkhana event November 28, 2015. Therron and Stacey, Stacey is Therron’s wife was helping at the snack bar. Debbie just came back from the grocery store with the food and drinks. Stacey didn’t separate the different types of drinks and when Debbie suggested having cokes, diet cokes, 7 Up, water on ice instead of just coke. Stacey seemed to get a little upset. Not everyone like Coke
Page 764
8. Elizabeth Wiley the owner of JJ before he was brought to Oak Meadows Ranch numerous Veterinarians looked at JJ. Elizabeth told Craig the diagnoses. Doc agreed. Craig and Debbie were never told by a Veterinarian or Elizabeth to euthanize him and were told he’s not suffering and not in pain. This is coming from Veterinarian. This is why Elizabeth Wiley should have been called to be a witness. She could have answered a lot about Princess and JJ.
Page 765
1. During that time Barbara Barnaba was doing the majority of the feeding of the horses and dealing with the volunteers.
Page 769
13. Therron did post on Facebook that he was contacting realtors that are in rural areas to have land not to lease, rent or sell to the Phillip’s. Debbie has a copy of the Facebook page. The first day when Craig and Debbie were moving to the Hemet / Sage area Therron wrote on Facebook that he was following Craig as he was moving and posted on Facebook what he thought was their address. It wasn’t Craig and Debbie’s address but the neighbors.
Page 771
5. Kathy Smith was there every day and Barbara Barnaba feeding mucking, giving horses water. Evening Doc’s granddaughters Abby and Lily Harper. The stalls were getting mucked, fed and watered.
26. It was a volunteer ranch no one was getting paid including board of directors which was Craig and Debbie, Charles Edgerly and Scott Whan.
Page 772
5. Debbie gets business related emails numerous times during the day including for the ranch people contacting her that they’d like to volunteer. Debbie creates websites, writes on Facebook on the Oak Meadows Ranch Facebook page. Debbie takes photos and does it for free editing and uploading photos including for events at the ranch like Gymkhana’s. So yes Debbie does sit at times. It doesn’t mean she is playing games or resting. From April 2012 when the ranch began and Craig and Debbie couldn’t find a ranch hand to stay at the ranch at night Craig moved the business motorhome onto the ranch and stayed the night protecting the animals. Once Craig and Debbie took possession of the property Lucky got so attached to Caig and Debbie she didn’t want to stay at the ranch alone with the horses. She was a ranch dog. The previous renters didn’t feed her. She had to catch her own food. Craig and Debbie started feeding her dog food and taught her not to eat chickens. She was a herder. The previous renter had goats. She would herd them. They would slaughter goats and burn their fur off. Then bury their remains in a black plastic bag on the ranch. Debbie would come to the ranch at 3:00 PM normally after doing computer work at the Canyon Lake home and do ranch chores then leave at 11:00 PM to go back home to the Canyon Lake home. This went on until December 2013. Debbie purchased the 5th wheel not using any Blue Pearl Project money or donations so Craig and Debbie could be together again. Craig and Debbie were not together living at 2 different locations from April 2012 until December 2013. The 5th wheel RV made it happen being 39 ft. long, 3 slide out. The business motorhome was too small. Beginning 2005 to present Debbie has worked on the computer starting around 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Also since smartphones started it had made it easier for Debbie to use an iPhone and be anywhere instead of being tied down to a computer. But you can’t do everything from an iPhone.
Testimony Bill Hepburn
Defendant’s Response to Court Transcripts
Page 780
5. The exact time Serenity was found was by Debbie. No one was there. No volunteers have come yet. It was January 29, 2017 at 8:20 AM. Debbie went to Serenity calming her down. She seemed like she used all of her energy. As she was calming her down Debbie called Craig and Craig called Jim Kiesner, Jim Kiesner, Shannon Roberts and Sedona Como lived on the property in an RV. They were the horse riding instructors and helped on the ranch. Where they did live they had to move right now at 9:00 PM. Craig and Debbie got a call from Carole Pinkerton asked if Jim, Shannon and Sedona could move onto the ranch right now. Craig and Debbie said yes and helped them move their horses and RV to Oak Meadows Ranch. So when Serenity was stuck in the pipe stall Jim came over to help get her out of the pipe stall. Keep in mind around January 23, 2017 there was about 3 days of heavy rain and flooding Debbie has photos and video of it. Serenity’s stall was pretty dry considering only where she knocked over about half of her water bucket. Craig and Jim got her out of the pipe stall. Serenity was pretty weak. She improved throughout the day. Serenity between 1:00 an 1:30 PM she was doing real well she was bathed to get the mud off her. Debbie has photos. By about 6:00 PM a volunteer had her in the round pen. Serenity was acting normal. Serenity was walked back to a arena by her stall. She was fed a wet feed bucket. Debbie has a photo January 29, 2017 at 9:17 PM Serenity is sitting up and had eaten almost all her wet feed bucket. It was a very tiring day. Debbie checked on her often. Debbie didn’t eat anything to late the evening. Debbie’s blood sugar level was very low and she was ready to pass out.
Page 783
18. Craig did talk to a Veterinarian. It was a Sunday and difficult to get a Veterinarian out on a Sunday. They usually say give a shot of Banamine. I’ll be there tomorrow.
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16. Bill Hepburn was another volunteer that was disgruntled because he wanted to purchase Crimson Delight a retired race horse. She was a sanctuary horse which Craig and Debbie promised the owner they would never sell her. The owner at the time purchased and donated a stall for her.
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The DA asked Officer Middleton in court regarding the dogs. Mr. Phillips never stated to Officer Middleton after the dog was poisoned the dogs were not out of their kennel. It wasn't true. The dogs routine never changed and were walked a minimum of 2 times a day and released 3 dogs at a time at night.
Lies to the DA, Judge & Jury from Prosecution Witnesses
Rosemarie Eisner, Holly Wilcox, Melodee Latta, David Boyd, Jill Boyd, Tim Hieter, Officer Monquenec Middleton, Therron Hubbell, Bill Hepburn, Dr. Susan Eyer-Anderson, Lt. Lesley Huennekens, Dr. Celeste Martin, Dr. Allan Drusys
