Cockfighting Trial Begins
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Updated: 11:31 AM Jun 13, 2008
Cockfighting Trial Begins
Harrisonburg, Va.
The trial of a man charged in a Page County cockfighting case began Thursday.
Posted: 12:48 PM Jun 12, 2008
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The trial of a man charged in a Page County cockfighting case began Thursday.

Charles Leo Kingrea is on trial on four counts involving cockfighting. One of the counts was dismissed by the judge.

So he is now charged with conspiracy to engage in cockfighting, conspiracy to sell a gaff or knife for cockfighting, and aiding gambling in cockfighting.

These charges stem from a raid was conducted at the Little Boxwood cockfighting site in May 2007. Four men were indicted in September, including Kingrea.

The U.S. Attorney says Kingrea had a stand at Little Boxwood selling gaffs and knives, which are items attached to the feet of roosters so they can cut each other.

The U.S. Attorney says Kingrea's role in the conspiracy was to provide the tools of the trade.

The defense says Kingrea did have the concession stand, but he was an independent contractor and not in a conspiracy.

The defense attorney argued that Kingrea was a small fish in a big net.

The prosecution presented four witnesses Thursday, and Kingrea will take the stand in his defense Friday.

The trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. Friday and is expected to be completed sometime during the day.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Mountain Location: Shenandoah Valley on Jun 20, 2008 at 04:21 PM

How can anyone believe it’s a game rooster’s natural instinct to have a sharp gaff strapped to his leg and be forced to fight an opponent he cannot escape, while people gamble money on the outcome? It is nothing more than a forced death match and to call it a sport is an insult to true sports advocates everywhere. Woo hoo! Let’s take the kids for a good old fashioned day of gambling and ritualized animal torture and call it family time at a sporting event. Are you kidding me? What century are we living in here? Current tolerance of cockfighting is not only inhumane, but enables increased crime rates that cost taxpayer money to investigate and prosecute. And now even trusted public officials are charged with crimes associated with cockfighting. Unfortunate people living near game bird operations cope with ugly rooster housing, clutter, and constant noise. Their homes have reduced appeal and value in an already tough real estate market. Virginians,need to end the scourge of cockfighting.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Stanley, VA on Jun 16, 2008 at 05:34 PM

Why is this cock fighting suddenly a big deal in this tiny little town? This thing has been going on for a long time. I know at least 8 or more years. What about the county official that looked the other way for all this time? Stanley is a small town and everybody over here knows everybody else and people talk. People in this town have know for a long time that this has been going on and nothing was ever done about it. I don't think this gentleman should be the only one bought to trial for this. By the way in the state of Virginia it is not illegal to fight cocks its just illegal to gamble on them.
Posted by: outside Location: luray on Jun 12, 2008 at 06:55 PM

they are ALL guilty as sin, and need to pay!!!
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