By Joyce Kryszak
Cheektowaga, NY – The woman known as the deer lady was back in Cheektowaga Town court Tuesday less than one week after serving jail time for an earlier violation. It's the latest chapter in Anita Depczynski's ongoing battle with town officials over wildlife issues.
Depczynski faces yet another new charge of violating the state's ban on feeding wild deer. The 65-year-old woman was released only last week after spending seven days in county jail. That sentence stemmed from an appeal she lost on earlier charges.
Depczynski has been arrested numerous times since 2003 for feeding deer in Stiglmeier park. Another case is also pending in Amherst Town Court. Cheektowaga Town Prosecutor James Vallone says she may be facing yet another trial in Cheektowaga with the possibility of more jail time.
"Well, that's her decision. At this juncture I don't think she's going to stop the activities that she's been told numerous occasions to stop," said Vallone. "And, unfortunately, that's the dilemma we face."
A return court date was set for January 10th to give Depczynski's new court appointed attorney time to review the case. Defense attorney Matthew Brooks says he will look into information given to him by Depczynski before deciding how to proceed. Depczynski contends that she is being targeted by the town because she speaks out about Stiglmeier Park being over developed.
"I kept complaining about what they were doing. The day I brought in Mr. Gabryzak [Cheektowaga town supervisor Dennis Gabryzak] is the day that the Cheektowaga Town Police came behind me on the trail," said Depczynski. "And never once have I ever seen a Cheektowaga Police on the trail."
Depczynski said Tuesday she is frightened about the possibility of going to jail again. She says she won't feed the deer anymore and will look for a different way to fight for Stiglmeier Park. Depczynski says it might be more effective to get an environmental attorney and fight for better laws to protect the wildlife.