CROOKSTON DAILY TIMES (Minnesota) 19 September 06 Teen who burned turtle for the world to see is sentenced
Moorhead, Minn. (AP): An 18-year-old was sentenced to jail and community service for his part in setting a snapping turtle on fire, an incident he and his friends videotaped and posted on the Internet.
Under the sentence handed down Monday, Joel Charles Ross, of Hawley, will have to serve at least five days in jail, perform at least 50 hours of community service, and pay a $500 fine that he can reduce by $400 with more community service. He would face more jail time and higher fines if he fails to comply with the terms of his probation.
Ross pleaded guilty last month to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty for an incident that captured the attention of online viewers and animal rights activists worldwide.
In late May, Ross and two juveniles videotaped themselves dousing the large snapping turtle with gasoline, lighting it on fire twice, and dancing around it. They were discovered after someone sent police an e-mail with a link to the video.
The two juveniles involved received community service earlier.
''This was something that just got way out of control, said Dennis Fisher, Ross's attorney. Fisher asked Clay County District Judge Michael Kirk to impose fines and community service but not jail time, saying Ross and his family had suffered enough.
Ross told Kirk he felt bad for his actions and knew they were wrong. He said his family has been affected, including a brother serving in Iraq.
''He's upset and probably thinks a lot less of me right now,'' Ross said.
Ross also said he had planned to sign up for the National Guard to do military police work. ''Now I can't, because of this,'' he said.
Kirk said he wanted to see more empathy from Ross toward the animal.
In a letter published Tuesday in The Forum of Fargo, N.D., Ross's parents, Michael and Vicky Ross, said their son and his friends had been unfairly vilified by animal rights supporters.
''There is no pattern of cruelty with any of the three teens,'' they wrote. ''There is nothing to indicate that this is anything but an isolated incident and will not likely be repeated with animals, much less humans. ... We and the other parents involved love our sons far more than these people love their stupid turtles and we believe they will turn out just fine.''
Teen who burned turtle for the world to see is sentenced