A Gilroy man who’s been in custody since last May for allegedly killing his wife’s 6-week-old Chihuahua puppy has yet to enter a plea but will be in court again next month, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Bud Wally Ruiz, 53, faces two counts of felony animal cruelty and one count of misdemeanor battery for allegedly throwing the puppy across the room during an argument with his wife, police said.
He faces 25 years to life in prison under California’s Three-Strikes Law because of past felony convictions, according to the District Attorney’s office. Ruiz is listed as a register sex offender, according to the Megan’s Law website.
Ruiz was set to enter a plea last Thursday, but the hearing has been delayed until 8:30 a.m. Feb. 2 at the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill, said Deputy District Attorney Troy Benson, who is prosecuting the case.
The scheduled meeting is what’s known as a “Felony Advanced Resolution” hearing, in which the defense and prosecution sometimes discuss a possible plea deal.
In a voicemail left with the Dispatch, however, Benson said, “I don’t have any clue as to what’s going to happen.”
Ruiz has been subject to several hours of psychological evaluations, and a court-appointed clinical psychologist has requested an additional $1,000 to continue the examinations, according to documents filed with the Santa Clara County Superior Court Jan. 5.
