Marlin Animal Shelter Case Dismissed

Former Marlin Animal Control Officer Nicole Grams was slated for a court appearance on Nov. 4, facing 10 charges related to alleged animal cruelty after a resident revealed unclean living conditions and emaciated dogs in the shelter on Facebook back in January 2024.

According to her attorneys at Diaz & Wright, PLLC, via a public Facebook post on Sept. 29, all charges against Grams have been dismissed by the 82nd District Court following the state’s failure to disclose evidence in the case, including proof of their client’s innocence.

“The Judge held the State accountable and ordered all evidence to be turned over within 10 days,” the post stated. “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.”

Diaz & Wright also called out individuals in the “Justice for Marlin Dogs” organization who called the 82nd district a “good old boy” system and advocated for action against Grams.

“Instead of threatening Nicole and raising money to put in their own Bell County pockets, they should have helped the City of Marlin construct a new, healthy shelter and increase the number of volunteers. Instead, they choose hate instead of solutions for Falls County,” stated Attorney Wright.

Díaz & Wright stated they conducted a detailed investigation into the case with On Call Investigative Solutions and experts from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Sciences and other veterinarians in Central Texas, uncovering 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 overthe- 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 nonpayment 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.

In February 2025, Marlin Police Chief James Hommel and former animal control officer Robert Thomas were indicted on one felony and nine misdemeanor charges, along with Grams, by a grand jury. Falls County District Attorney Jody Gilliam recused herself from the case in March 2025 to avoid any appearance of impropriety, and oversight of the prosecution was transferred to Robertson County District Attorney Cody Siegert, who dropped the charges against Hommel and Thomas in April, citing insufficient evidence.

Hommel was reinstated as Chief, a position he still holds. The Marlin Animal Shelter remains closed.

Animal advocates and Marlin residents have shared a range of emotions about the dismissed case on Facebook, most commonly frustration and anger at the lack of justice for the dogs under the city’s care, and claims of corruption within the city and county.

Congratulations to another innocent client who was wrongfully charged with a crime by a group of vigilante carpetbaggers. The 82nd District Court signed Orders for Dismissal just 18 days after Attorney Morrison and Attorney Wright blistered the State for 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 Michael Morton Act and the Constitution, as established in the Brady case, prevailed. Díaz & Wright have effectively held District Attorney offices accountable to the Constitution, as seen in cases such as Brady and Michael Morton, in Falls, Robertson, Milam, and Bosque counties.

“Dorene Burlew, Dorothy Sanders and their vigilante organization, ‘Justice for Marlin Dogs,’ have claimed that the 82nd is a ‘good old boy’ system conspiring to help Nicole. This claim is fake news. The Judge held the State of Texas accountable to the law, and when the State realized it was caught with its hand in the cookie jar, it did the right, ethical, and legal thing and surrendered to justice. Instead of threatening Nicole and raising money to put in their own Bell County pockets, they should have helped the City of Marlin construct a new, healthy shelter and increase the number of volunteers. Instead, they choose hate instead of solutions for Falls County.” stated Attorney Wright “Our client isn’t going to make any public statements; her actions speak louder than words. Those who need to hear from her will be hearing from us in a couple of days.” stated Attorney Morrison Díaz & Wright 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 uncovered the following: much of it was never known or investigated by the State of Texas:

•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 overthe- 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 nonpayment 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.