LAPEER, Mich. — As some of their supporters quietly wept, a magistrate on Friday formally charged a couple with second-degree murder after their two large dogs attacked and mauled to death a jogger as he ran along a rural road July 23.
Sebastiano Quagliata, 45, handcuffed, was still wearing the paint-stained pants he had on when police arrested him at his job Thursday night.
In court, Magistrate Michael Delling ordered a $500,000 bond, saying Quagliata posed a flight risk. Moments later, his subdued wife, Valbona Lucaj, 44, was brought into the courtroom, handcuffed, and Delling ordered a $500,000 bond for her as well.
The pair face up to life in prison if convicted. They are also charged with harboring a dangerous animal causing death, a 15-year felony. Craig Sytsma, 46, and the father of three, was jogging along Thomas Road the evening of July 23 when the two large dogs, Cane Corsos, attacked him. He died of his injuries at a local hospital.
It was the third time the dogs attacked people on the road, according to reports.
During Friday's brief hearing, assistant Lapeer County Prosecutor Michael Hodges asked for a $1 million bond on each of the defendants, noting that immigration officials have been seeking to deport the two, saying they are in the country illegally. "The concern we have is of flight," Hodges said. "There is some question about their immigration status."
Quagliata's attorney, Jason Malkiewicz, told the magistrate his client still retains his green card and has no criminal history.
"He has been a union painter for 20 years. He has numerous ties to the community. He was arrested at 4:30 at his work; his wife turned herself in voluntarily last night," he said.
Malkiewicz asked the magistrate to release his client on a personal bond and to require that he wear a GPS tether.
But the magistrate, noting the seriousness of the crime, declined and issued the high bond for both defendants. It was not clear when or if the two could post bond. They face a Aug. 8 pretrial hearing.
Quagliata came to the country in December 1996, and a month later Lucaj arrived. The pair have three children born in the United States, ages 15, 12 and 7. The children are now with relatives, Hodges said.
The two dogs involved in the attack, along with seven puppies and an older puppy found at the home, were confiscated by animal control authorities. Prosecutors want the animals destroyed. A hearing on the matter, scheduled for later Friday, has been adjourned.