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Teen suspects in alpaca death remain behind bars

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 2:12 PM Thursday, March 11, 2010

HAMILTON — Two teenagers charged in connection with the theft and beating death of an alpaca in Madison Twp. remain behind bars at the county juvenile detention center.

The judge ordered one to stay there and the other remains because his family fears for his safety, his attorney said today, March 11.

The 17-year-old Madison Twp. defendants appeared in Butler County Juvenile Court today for a hearing on charges of breaking and entering, grand theft, tampering with evidence and vandalism, all felonies, and animal cruelty, a second-degree misdemeanor.

They are accused of stealing and beating to death a 3-month-old alpaca named Masterpiece from a Browns Run Road farm on Feb. 5.

Prosecutors have asked the juvenile cases be transferred to common pleas court, where the defendants would be tried as adults.

Butler County Juvenile Judge Kathleen Romans set a probable cause hearing date of March 30 for the two. At that hearing, information will be presented to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Another hearing will then be set for Romans to determine if the cases should be moved to adult court.

The defendants have been behind bars since the beginning of this month and will remain there for at least three more weeks.

Traci Combs-Valerio, defense attorney for one of the teens, told the judge, “At this time the family is not asking for this young man to be released for his own safety.”

The case has raised the emotions of animal lovers throughout the state, according to authorities.

Attorney Paris Ellis, who represents the second suspect, did request his client be released and monitored with a electronic devices. Romans denied that request, ruling he be held until the next hearing date.

In addition to the two teens, Stacie Mullins, 22, of Madison Twp., is charged with complicity in the case. She is scheduled to appear Wednesday, March 17 for a preliminary hearing in Middletown Municipal Court. She is free on bond.

Parents of the suspects were in court today. One mother hugged her handcuffed and shackled son as he was led away. The attorneys and families declined comment.

Jeffrey Pergram and Rebecca Hardin, owners of Masterpiece — as well as a neighbor who loved the fuzzy baby alpaca — were also in attendance.

“We just wanted to be present,” Pergram said, “We’ll be here for the whole trial or procedings,”

Hardin said when she saw the suspects she thought how young they are, but felt angry. Madison Twp. resident Mary Ellyn Sohn said she came to the hearing in support of her neighbors.

“I am a friend of Masterpiece,” Sohn said. “I was such a cute little fella. I stopped by and talked to him all the time. I stopped by before I come today.”

Masterpiece was buried earlier this week. A new cross now marks his resting place, Hardin said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.

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