NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Wayne Brackett, Jr., the North Adams man accused of brutally killing a 6-year old girl's pet rabbits, had his first day in court Monday.
Brackett, 23, wore street clothes as he was led from the North Adams Police Department to Northern Berkshire District Court, where he pleaded not guilty charges, including breaking and entering and felony animal cruelty.
Brackett told police he did not remember harming any rabbits. He claimed to have been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana the night of the killings and may have blacked out.
His plea could prove to be a difficult sell however, due to the existence of surveillance video that shows the crime in progress.
The video, first broadcast on NEWS10 last week, shows a man resembling Brackett breaking into Berkshire County Construction on Ashland Street in North Adams. When the man is unsuccessful at entering trucks on the property, he turns his attention to the wooden pens housing the 17 pet rabbits of construction company owner John Duquette's young daughter.
The man opened the pen and released the rabbits, brutally killing 5 of them.
In the end, only 3 rabbits were recovered. The others are believed to have run off or were dragged away by other animals.
Police tell NEWS10 the video generated hundreds of tips calls, and that it was a tipster's call that led them to Brackett.
The graphic video horrified many, including Brackett's own family, members of which were inside the courtroom Monday.
"There is no explanation it was my nephew's body, but it wasn't his mind," Brackett's aunt Pamela Callaghan said.
Brackett's mother, Joanne Brackett, apologized to the Duquette's and told reporters that her son "needs help, obviously."
She said her son's rage was fueled by alcohol and drugs and sparked off by the health of his sister, who is battling cancer.
"His family seems very nice," John Duquette said to NEWS10. "I talked to them in the courtroom and they are hurt just like everyone else."
It is unclear whether or not prosecutors will use the video tape in their case against Brackett.
Brackett has a criminal history, previously spending time in prison for breaking and entering, but nothing as severe as these newest charges against him.
He is currently being held in the Berkshire County House of Correction, in lieu of $25,000 cash bail. He will reappear in court July 7.
Wayne Brackett, Jr.
NEWS10 ABC
