No Contest Plea By Dog Owners In Jogger's Death

LAPEER, Mich. (AP) - A couple blamed for the death of a jogger who was attacked by their dogs have pleaded no contest in a deal to close the case.

The Flint Journal says Sebastiano Quagliata and his wife, Valbona Lucaj, pleaded no contest Friday to owning a dangerous dog causing death.

At one point, Lucaj told the victim's family, "I'm so sorry."

Craig Sytsma of Livonia was attacked by two cane corsos last July in Metamora Township, 45 miles northwest of Detroit. Lapeer County Prosecutor Tim Turkelson predicts a sentence of at least 19 months in prison on June 8.

Defense attorney Jason Malkiewicz says the couple had "no intention" of hurting anyone with the dogs.

Lucaj, a native of Albania, and Quagliata, a native of Italy, could eventually be deported.