Parrot's squawk mooted as evidence in murder trial
Prosecutor believes repetitive phrase, 'don't f****ing shoot', may be dead man's last words
A prosecutor in Michigan is considering whether the words of a pet parrot could be used as evidence to try a woman accused of killing its owner.
Bud, a 19-year-old African grey parrot, has been repeating the words "don't f****ing shoot" ever since his owner, Martin Duram, was shot multiple times and killed in Sand Lake, Michigan, in May 2015, reports The Guardian.
"He's using Marty's voice," said Duram's ex-wife, Christina Keller who now owns the bird.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"It imprinted in his brain, and he can't let it go," Keller told WOOD TV in Detroit. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"96673","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
Newaygo County prosecutor Robert Springstead told the Detroit Free Press: "It is something we are going to be looking at to determine if it's reliable to use or if it's information we need to prosecute this case."
However, Springstead acknowledged that calling the bird as a witness may not be possible. He said he "highly doubts there is any precedent" for using a bird's speech as evidence. When a judge asks someone to raise their right hand, he wondered, "to a parrot, are you raising a wing, a foot?"
Nevertheless, he added: "It's an interesting novelty and it's been a great opportunity for me to learn about African parrots."
It would not be the first time a parrot's statement has been considered for use in a murder trial, notes the Daily Telegraph.
In 1993 a North California defence lawyer argued that an African Grey who said repeatedly "Richard, no, no, no" suggested that his client – namely Gary Joseph Rasp – was not the perpetrator, but the judge ruled that the evidence could not be used and Rasp was convicted.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published