Parrot causes squawk in Florida courtroom

Parrot causes squawk in Florida courtroom

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL -- He arrived at court Lucky and left Tequila.

An African Grey parrot, the subject of a 4-month custody battle, went home with Mommy No. 1 Monday after a court hearing filled with tears, some heated words and a loud squawk.

Angela Colicheski, 52, of Boca Raton, sued in January to get back a $2,000 parrot she named Tequila who flew away from her three years ago and ended up with another Boca Raton woman. Sarita Lytell, 47, refused to give the parrot back, saying she had taken care of the bird, which
she named Lucky, so he should stay with her.

Special preparations were made for Tequila to be brought in to the courthouse. He didn't have to go through the metal detector - or the X-ray machine. And when he was brought into the courtroom, he had a flock of media anxiously awaiting every squawk.

All attention turned to the door when Lytell walked in with the cage. Colicheski hadn't seen Tequila in three years. Tequila squawked, as if on cue.

"Oh my God, that's him!" Colicheski gasped.

Palm Beach County Judge James Martz prefaced the hearing with: "Folks, this is an unusual case."

Both sides agreed that the parrot Lytell found was the one Colicheski lost.

Lytell's attorney, Marcy LaHart, said her client should get to keep the parrot since she's cared for it for three years. But Colicheski's attorney Spencer Siegel said Florida property laws demanded Tequila's return.

The lawsuit never would have happened but for a chance meeting in January at a Boca Raton Dunkin' Donuts. Colicheski and Lytell happened to be there and struck up a conversation that turned to Tequila. Lytell told her she found an African Grey around that time, just a half-mile
from Colicheski's home. They realized they were talking about the same bird.

Martz said Florida laws are clear on the matter.

"If the plaintiff had lost her automobile somehow along the way ... would it be any less her property when she found it?" he asked. "Pets are chattel. They're no different from your automobile."

LaHart said Martz was wrong.

"Clearly, your mind has been made up without hearing any other evidence," she told the judge.

Martz wrapped up the case quickly after that exchange. Spencer told the judge his client wanted possession of Tequila and dismissal of Lytell's countersuit for the cost of keeping the bird.

"Done and granted," Martz said.

He praised Lytell for her care of the parrot and marveled at both women's dedication.

"It appears this parrot had probably the luckiest landing he could have had," Martz said.

Though she said the handover of Tequila behind closed doors was cordial, Lytell said she was devastated to give up her Lucky.

"I just can't take this anymore," she said, sobbing. "How will I go home tonight?"

Meanwhile, television crews chased after Colicheski and Tequila. Two cameramen got into a shoving match for the best shot of the reunion. “Inside Edition” had a crew there and “Good Morning America” plans to feature the case Tuesday morning.

Outside, Colicheski unclasped the crate and held her bird for the first time in three years. She baby-talked, tears in her eyes.

"Want kisses?" she cooed.

The interviewers gasped as Tequila flew from her hand to the ground, but he was quickly snatched up.

Colicheski held on a little tighter this time.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Parrot-causes-squawk-in-Florida-courtroom/Km-Ajh_GbUW4uvnwUfNZeA.cspx