Nicholas Reynolds (aka Nick Reynolds), 18, admitted to several charges Wednesday including animal cruelty, breaking and entering, tampering with evidence, vandalism and grand theft.
Investigators said Reynolds, another teen, and a 23-year-old woman stole the 3-month-old baby alpaca named Masterpiece from a Madison Township farm, took turns beating the baby to death and then dumped its tiny body at an abandoned barn in Montgomery County.
Masterpiece's owner, Jeff Pergram, was in court for the plea.
"I'm glad that he just manned up and admitted his guilt. That's a step forward for him also," said Pergram.
Pergram is pushing for legislation that would make animal cruelty a felony in Ohio. Pergram considers the beating the most disturbing charge in the crime but because it's a misdemeanor it carries a lighter sentence. He said that isn't right.
Pergram said he was so distraught by the loss of Masterpiece that he sold his other three alpacas. He originally owned the four for breeding and to sell the fleece.
(WCPO - Nov 9, 2010)
Earlier:
- Ohio: Grand jury indicts Nicholas Reynolds, 17, and Marcus Miller, 18, of torture death of baby alpaca
- Ohio: New court hearings for Stacie Mullins, 23, Nicholas Reynolds, 17, and Marcus Miller, 18 -- all accused of stealing a baby alpaca, taking turns beating the baby to death and then dumping his battered and broken body at an abandoned farm
- Ohio: After judge let Nicholas Reynolds, 18, out on bond after allegedly beating a baby alpaca to death, he leads police on a high speed chase
