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Judge Rejects Plea Deal For Teens In Horse Shooting Case
by: The Associated Press
May 20 2007 Article # 9624
An Eastern Kentucky judge has refused to approve a plea deal for two teens who admitted to attacking a herd of horses, fatally shooting three of the animals.
Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman declined to accept the offer, which included a 30-day sentence for the teens, who were both 17 when the horses were tortured and killed in January, The Appalachian News-Express reported.
The two pleaded guilty last week to three felony criminal mischief charges, five misdemeanor criminal mischief charges and eight misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. They could each be sentenced to up to 16 years in prison.
On Jan. 25, the teens, driving a truck and armed with two shotguns and a pistol, ran down a herd of horses on a strip mine in Beaver near Elkhorn City. Ghost, a 4-year-old mare shot more than 50 times, Oldie, a 14-year old pony favored by children who rode trails at the Breaks Interstate Park, and Minx, a 2-year-old mare, died, authorities said. Five other horses were wounded.
The plea deal would have placed the former East Ridge High School students under diversion for two years, meaning the charges would be dismissed if they stayed out of trouble during supervised probation.
Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Bartley also recommended that they complete 200 hours of community service and pay restitution to the owners of horses that were killed and tortured.
"This case is a very difficult one to try to decide what to do, so I'm not surprised that (Coleman) disagreed with my assessment of the case, and I respect that," Bartley said.
Steve Owens, the attorney for the teens, could not be reached for comment. Coleman did not comment on the case. The judge scheduled another hearing for May 24.
by: The Associated Press
May 20 2007 Article # 9624
An Eastern Kentucky judge has refused to approve a plea deal for two teens who admitted to attacking a herd of horses, fatally shooting three of the animals.
Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman declined to accept the offer, which included a 30-day sentence for the teens, who were both 17 when the horses were tortured and killed in January, The Appalachian News-Express reported.
The two pleaded guilty last week to three felony criminal mischief charges, five misdemeanor criminal mischief charges and eight misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. They could each be sentenced to up to 16 years in prison.
On Jan. 25, the teens, driving a truck and armed with two shotguns and a pistol, ran down a herd of horses on a strip mine in Beaver near Elkhorn City. Ghost, a 4-year-old mare shot more than 50 times, Oldie, a 14-year old pony favored by children who rode trails at the Breaks Interstate Park, and Minx, a 2-year-old mare, died, authorities said. Five other horses were wounded.
The plea deal would have placed the former East Ridge High School students under diversion for two years, meaning the charges would be dismissed if they stayed out of trouble during supervised probation.
Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Bartley also recommended that they complete 200 hours of community service and pay restitution to the owners of horses that were killed and tortured.
"This case is a very difficult one to try to decide what to do, so I'm not surprised that (Coleman) disagreed with my assessment of the case, and I respect that," Bartley said.
Steve Owens, the attorney for the teens, could not be reached for comment. Coleman did not comment on the case. The judge scheduled another hearing for May 24.
