Law Firm: Charges dropped against ex-animal control officer Nicole Grams in Marlin animal shelter investigation

MARLIN, Texas (KWTX) - All charges against former City of Marlin Animal Control Officer Nicole Grams in the Marlin shelter investigation were dismissed.

“Congratulations to another innocent client who was wrongfully charged with a crime by a group of vigilante carpetbaggers,” the Díaz & Wright Law Firm wrote in a social media post.

The firm said its client would not be releasing at public statement at this time.

In early 2024, several dogs at the Marlin animal shelter were found living in deplorable conditions. At least two dogs died.

Photos showing the horrific conditions inside the animal shelter were leaked on Facebook, resulting in public outrage and calls for the police chief to be held accountable.

Eventually, Grams was charged along with two other defendants.

After months of investigation, charges were dismissed against City of Marlin Police Chief James Hommel and a third defendant, Robert Thomas.

The 82nd District Court signed Orders for Dismissal just 10 days after attorneys for the defendant accused of the State of failing to disclose evidence in the case, including proof of their client’s innocence.

“Following the hearing, the Judge held the State accountable and ordered all evidence to be turned over within 10 days. Knowing that they could not comply with the law, the State moved to dismiss the charges to avoid civil liability for malicious and wrongful prosecution,” the law firm said.

Díaz & Wright said it and On Call Investigative Solutions conducted a detailed investigation into the case with experts from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Sciences and another leading veterinarian in Central Texas.

The investigation, according to Díaz & Wright, uncovered the following:

• The Texas Ranger confirmed a statement he had made, saying the grand jury was wrong and that there was no evidence. (9/11/ Hearing)
• Two law enforcement officers stated that there was no evidence to charge Nicole.
• The body of the dog that Nicole supposedly caused the death of was destroyed before law enforcement could take pictures or document it. All evidence of the dog was lost or destroyed.
• The diagnostic veterinary reports submitted by vigilantes actually proved that the dogs were being fed and were likely suffering from Parvovirus.
• According to veterinarians and records, the majority of the dogs were seized from their owners multiple times due to neglect, malnutrition, and no veterinary care.
• Nicole Grams had attempted to provide basic over-the-counter shots and medical care out of her own pocket. A witness for the prosecution confirmed this.
• Nicole Grams was denied permission by her supervisor to take the dogs to the vet hospital from 12/10 to 12/16 due to budget shortfalls.
• Local veterinarian clinics stopped servicing the dogs due to the City of Marlin’s non-payment of bills.
• Nicole Grams purchased bedding, food, and toys for the animals out of her own pocket, as requests to her supervisor and the City were left unanswered.
• The Marlin Animal Shelter’s architectural design and layout may inadvertently mask some diseases, such as Parvovirus, from spreading, despite the staff’s best efforts.

The law firm said all of the points mentioned above were never known or investigated by the State of Texas.

Díaz & Wright Managing Partner Matthew Wright said Grams and the legal team feel a sigh of relief.

“She has really undergone a lot since the charges were leveled against her. From harassment to death threats,” said Wright.

Dorothy Sanders, with Justice for Marlin Dogs; and Frances Fischer, with Journey Home Rescue, organized protests, demanded answers, and even got the Texas Rangers involved with the investigation.

The two said they saw this result coming.

“We actually expected it, that’s why we fought so hard. Animal cruelty has a history in Falls County of not being prosecuted,” said Sanders, “The state didn’t want to hold themselves accountable because this was tax-funded animal cruelty.”

Grams’ defense says their own investigation shows the majority of the dogs were at the animal shelter due to neglect at home.

The investigation also includes veterinarian reports showing the dogs were being fed and were likely suffering from parvovirus.

“X rays that the vets took actually showed food in the digestive track of the dog. So, their own evidence showed our clients were feeding the dogs,” said Wright.

Wright said this unfortunate incident was a systemic budget issue.

“You have people attempting to fix a problem and doing the best with what they can. I’m talking about the City of Marlin. They just don’t have the resources to fix the problem. Until there is a large injection of money, which I don’t think the city of Marlin has, they’re going to continue to have a dog problem in that community,” said Wright.

However, Sanders said open records requests say differently.

“The city budget, there was over $22,000 in animal control services funds that were not used. They barely spend a little over $100,” said Sanders.

In a Facebook post, the law firm called out Sanders and named the Justice for Marlin Dogs group as a vigilante organization.

“They would talk about where she lived. One person posted her going into a CEFCO. The stuff posted in there was just horrific what they would post. It gets to the point where it wasn’t helpful,” said Wright.

“We’re not making claims that are false, we’re not stalking anybody. I feel they’re trying to intimidate me because I’m an eyewitness,” said Fischer. “All we did was exercise our first amendment rights.”

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