Conley Admits Shooting ZPD Officer, Dog

Dominick Conley finally admits to shooting a Zanesville Police Officer and his K-9.

In Muskingum County Common Pleas Court, Prosecutor Mike Haddox says the defense and prosecution came to a plea agreement in Conley’s case for the shooting of Zanesville Police Officer Mike Schiele and his K-9 dog Bosco.

Conley pled guilty to felonious assault on a peace officer, assault on a police dog, as well as several kidnapping and abduction charges.

"We agreed that my office would recommend to the court to Judge Fleegle that he receive a 25 year sentence for the crimes that he plead to today," said Haddox.

Haddox also says another factor in the change of plea was the extensive amount of media coverage on the case which could have hindered efforts for a fair trial.

"It means we have to go to another part of the state and try this case and that gets pretty expensive when you have to do that," said Haddox.

Conley shot officer Schiele and Bosco in August 2009 when Schiele was attempting to arrest Conley on a warrant. Conley then carjacked a woman and her 10-day-old baby. He then went to a family members home and held multiple people hostage. After fleeing that home, Conley was later apprehended in Canton.

Conley was originally facing 47 years in prison. Judge Mark Fleegle continued his bond at two million dollars and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.