Kyle K. Hallowell, 19, pleaded guilty in September to felony aggravated animal cruelty, and had been scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in Helena District Court.
Instead, he will be sentenced Dec. 4, along with the other two men, Brandon Wayne Hartford, 26, and Andrew Joseph Welch, 20.
They also pleaded guilty to a charge of felony tampering with or fabricating of physical evidence for allegedly removing evidence from the residence where all three were living and using bleach in an attempt to remove blood stains.
Aggravated animal cruelty carries a maximum penalty of two years under the Montana Department of Corrections or a fine not to exceed $2,500, or both.
A single felony count is charged if a person kills or inflicts cruelty to an animal with the purpose of terrifying, torturing or mutilating or inflicts cruelty on 10 or more animals.
For the tampering charge, Hartford and Welch face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $50,000 for the tampering charges.
Hallowell also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer, which carries a maximum of six months in jail.
Brandon Wayne Hartford, 26, and Andrew Joseph Welch, 20, each admitted to a felony aggravated animal cruelty charge.
They also pleaded guilty to a charge of felony tampering with or fabricating of physical evidence for allegedly removing evidence from the residence where all three were living and using bleach in an attempt to remove blood stains.
The two men admitted in court to capturing and killing cats.
The other man involved in the killing spree, 19-year-old Kyle K. Hallowell, pleaded guilty to felony aggravated animal cruelty in court last Thursday.
Hallowell, who was released from jail after posting $25,000 bond, also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer, for which he faces a maximum of six months in jail.
The men are accused of “burning, stabbing, beating, slaughtering and torturing” cats, which they hunted in several locations in Helena, East Helena and the Helena Valley, according to court documents. At least three of the cats were allegedly burned alive during the spree, which lasted about two months before the men were arrested last month.
The men told detectives they had killed between 16 and 24 animals and the spree was spurred by their joint dislike of cats.
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Big Jim wrote on Nov 23, 2008 3:45 PM:
" Typical....delay,delay,delay by defense attorneys. Move the trial closer to Christmas in hopes of getting the "sympathy vote." Our "criminal's justice system" is getting more pathetic by the day. These 3 worthless pieces of human garbage need to in prison for a long, long time and let "Big Bubba and his Boys" give them some "Big House Rehab." "
Susan wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:07 PM: