John Aaron Shoultz III v. State of Indiana

MEMORANDUM DECISION

BAKER, Judge.

In this case, appellant-defendant John Aaron Shoultz Ill’s cruelty toward animals to control and manipulate those around him took a more sinister turn on the evening of May 2, 2009. That evening, Shoultz decided to kill his mom’s new puppy, which she had received as a gift from Shoultz’s dad after Shoultz had slit the throat of his mom’s beagle a few weeks before. Shoultz’s girlfriend convinced him to duct-tape the dog’s legs instead. When Shoultz’s father went to confront him, Shoultz shot him several times, killing him.

Shoultz now appeals his convictions for…