Man Found in Doghouse After Fleeing Court

JACKSON, Mo. – A man who fled from court authorities while facing charges of domestic and animal abuse was found a short time later in a doghouse.

Paul Oakley, 43, was in court Friday for a preliminary hearing on three domestic abuse charges and one of animal abuse for allegedly abusing his girlfriend and her pet kitten.

Authorities said he briefly escaped and was captured minutes later in a doghouse in Jackson.

Sheriff’s deputy John Dace, serving as bailiff in Judge Gary Kamp’s courtroom, stated in court documents that Kamp told Oakley his $25,000 bond was being revoked and he was being taken into custody. The judge told Oakley to take a seat in the courtroom.

Dace said he turned his back for a moment, and Oakley fled. An assistant prosecuting attorney saw Oakley leave and alerted Dace and others.

A Jackson resident sitting on his back porch spotted a man he thought was acting suspicious a short time later. He notified Jackson police when he noticed the man inside his neighbor’s doghouse.

Jackson police notified the Cape Girardeau Sheriff’s Department, who found Oakley hiding in the doghouse.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle issued a warrant against Oakley for escape from custody. Kamp set bond at $25,000 on the new charge. Kamp also raised Oakley’s bond on the original charges to $250,000 cash.

It was not clear Sunday if Oakley had retained a lawyer.

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Information from: Southeast Missourian, http://www.semissourian.com