Monday, April 07, 2008
Teen Horse Killers Sentenced
Michael Ross Damron and Jacob Leslie Ratliff, two Pike County teens who pleaded guilty, under a plea deal, to shooting and killing three horses and injuring five others on a strip mine in Beaver near Elkhorn City in January, 2007, were sentenced to six months in jail. With time served, the two have 99 more days.
The plea deal was in jeopardy last month when Damron failed to pay restitution of $25,000 to the horses' owner, Trish Varney.
Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman said a light punishment would depreciate the seriousness of the crime, but, an overly harsh punishment would be detrimental to their future. The remainder of their five years sentence will be served on probation.
The plea deal was in jeopardy last month when Damron failed to pay restitution of $25,000 to the horses' owner, Trish Varney.
Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman said a light punishment would depreciate the seriousness of the crime, but, an overly harsh punishment would be detrimental to their future. The remainder of their five years sentence will be served on probation.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 4:07 AM 
