Bud Wally Ruiz, who could face life in prison in the death of
his wife’s 6-week-old puppy, opted to have his plea hearing moved
to July 12 after appearing in court Tuesday. Full article
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Bud Wally Ruiz, a registered sex offender and Gilroy resident who could face life in prison in the death of his wife’s 6-week-old puppy because of California’s Three-Strikes Law, opted to have his plea hearing moved to July 12 after appearing in court Tuesday inside the South County Morgan Hill Courthouse.
Ruiz faces two counts of felony animal cruelty and one count of misdemeanor battery, according to court records.
Ruiz’s wife, Marcella Ruiz, was also present for the plea hearing Tuesday and requested to have peaceful contact with her husband.
When Judge Andrea Flint asked Marcella if her husband had pressured her to make the request, Marcella shook her head and replied he had not.
“It appears to me you are making an educated decision, and at this time I will modify the order to make it a peaceful contact,” Flint said.
Bud Ruiz is accused of killing the puppy, a Chihuahua named Teddy, by throwing it against a wall after his wife called police to report he had assaulted her May 12 at her home in the 8800 block of Morey Way, according to the Gilroy Police Department.
In May, Marcella told the Dispatch the altercation had been blown far out of proportion, that he never hit her and the dog’s death was an accident.
“He’s not the monster everyone thinks he is,” she said.
Bud Ruiz has four prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon – two in Santa Clara County and two in Fresno County – and could face 25 years to life in prison because of California’s three strikes law, according to Amy Cornell, spokeswoman for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
He spent seven months in jail for his convictions in Santa Clara County, which occurred in 1978, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1999 after pleading no contest.
According to Megan’s Law, an online database of registered sex offenders, Bud Ruiz also once committed “lewd or lascivious acts with child 14 or 15 years of age.” He is listed online as a transient.
Bud Ruiz’s plea hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. July 12 at South County Morgan Hill Courthouse.
