A few updates courtesy of the Coloradoan.
What are furries?The furry social scene consists of people who like anthropomorphics or human-like animal characters, according to a Denver-based furry convention Web site. Furries have social networking Web sites and nationwide conventions, known as furry cons, including one in Denver planned for Aug. 7-9.
According to a Web site promoting a convention in Atlanta, the furry community is generally misunderstood but is “known for its friendly hugging, scritching, and holding hands.” The site also asks its members to retire to a hotel room if “you feel the need to express deep, physical affection for another.”
The Denver convention, known as the Rocky Mountain Fur Con, includes a furry parade down the 16th Street Mall, an art exhibition and cooking demonstrations.
Up until recently, the RMFC chairman was
a convicted pedophile. He quit when the community told him to; Michels didn't follow his example.
Fort Collins furries object to actions by woman accused of sexually assaulted boyThe host of the Fort Collins furry gathering wants to be clear: the group cooperated with police and does not condone the actions of Richael Michels, who was arrested last week for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy.
Angel Rivera, who hosts the weekly furmeet gathering in Fort Collins, says Michels knew the boy she is accused of assaulting before they started attending the furmeets at Rivera’s home in March.
An arrest affidavit for Michels indicates the two developed their physical relationship while attending the furmeets.
Michels is being held at the Larimer County jail with bail set at $35,000 and is charged with numerous counts of sexual assault on a minor. Her next court appearance is Tuesday before Judge David Williams.
“The only role the furmeet really plays in the matter is in giving the boy friends who reported the matter to the authorities when the nature of their relationship became apparent,” Rivera said in an e-mail.
Michels’ arrest affidavit indicates a member of the group, who is not identified because the document is redacted, encouraged her to stop her relationship with the boy.
Furry sex assault suspect hospitalized, misses first court appearanceRichael Michels, a furry accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy, has been hospitalized and did not make her scheduled first appearance in court this morning.
Former Larimer County District Attorney turned defense attorney Stu Vanmeveren is representing Michels, but declined to disclose why his client has been hospitalized.
Vanmeveren told Judge Dave Williams his client – who police say went by the nickname "Kitteh" – is expected to be released later this week and would be able to make her rescheduled first court appearance set for July 17.
Michels posted a $35,000 cash bond on July 1 to get out of the Larimer County jail. It is not clear if she posted bond before being hospitalized.