Twenty cats killed - burned, stabbed, beaten
Helena, MT (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008
County: Lewis and Clark
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Brandon Wayne Hartford
» Andrew Joseph Welch
» Kyle K. Hallowell
Upcoming Court Dates:
» Thursday, Dec 4, 2008: sentencing for Hartford and Welch
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
Authorities have arrested three Helena men for allegedly torturing and killing about 20 cats, including three that were burned alive.
Brandon Wayne Hartford, 26, Andrew Joseph Welch, 20, and Kyle K. Hallowell, 19, each faces a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty for "burning, stabbing, beating, slaughtering and torturing" the cats, which they hunted in several locations in Helena, East Helena and the Helena Valley, according to documents filed Thursday in Justice Court.
Hartford and Welch, who are both being held in lieu of a $25,000 bond, were taken into custody Wednesday.
Hallowell was arrested Thursday morning and his bond will be set today.
According to Lewis and Clark County detectives Larry Platts and Cory Olson, who investigated the killings along with Det. Dennis Nyland, the three men drove around neighborhoods during the night, stalking and hunting stray and pet cats.
The men told investigators that they had killed between 16 and 24 cats.
Investigators said there is no evidence that could identify where the animals came from.
When they located a cat, the men would lure the animal into their car and take it to one of several locations, which included construction sites, wooded areas and the house on the 2800 block of Winslow Avenue where the men have been living.
"These are inhumane acts of cruelty," Sheriff Leo Dutton said. "It shocks the conscience."
The detectives said the men have been killing the animals for at least the past two months.
The alleged crimes apparently began with the men's joint dislike of cats, Platts said. Hartford allegedly started the spree by beating to death a cat that scratched him when he picked it up, Olson said.
The investigation of the men stemmed from witness statements during the investigation of an unrelated report of disorderly conduct earlier in the week, Dutton said.
Officials declined to give more information about that incident because it is still under investigation.
"I am shocked how someone can treat an animal with no way of protecting itself this way and get some gratification from it," Dutton added.
In addition to the cruelty charges, Hartford and Welch both face a felony charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence for removing evidence from the crime scene on Winslow Avenue and using bleach in an attempt to clean up blood stains.
Hallowell also was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer.
Case UpdatesThe sentencing of one of the three Helena men who admitted torturing and killing about two dozen cats and then trying to cover their tracks has been postponed until December.
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.
In October, Hartford and Welch each also 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.
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. | Source: Missoulian - Nov 22, 2008
Update posted on Nov 23, 2008 - 5:22PM |
Two more Helena men accused of torturing and killing cats have pleaded guilty in District Court. Brandon Hartford and Andrew Welch entered their pleas Thursday to felony aggravated animal cruelty and evidence tampering.
A third man, 19-year-old Kyle Hallowell, pleaded guilty last week to felony aggravated animal cruelty charge and a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer. He admitted participating in the killing of 4 cats.
Altogether, the group is accused of torturing and killing as many as two dozen cats in and around Helena - stemming from their joint dislike of the animals.
The 26-year-old Hartford and 20-year-old Welch also are accused of removing evidence from the home they shared with Hallowell and using bleach to remove blood stains.
Hallowell's sentencing is set for Nov. 20; Hartford and Welch are to be sentenced Dec. 4. | Source: KPAX - Oct 2, 2008
Update posted on Oct 2, 2008 - 9:29PM |
If anyone is interested in contacting the County Attorney or writing them, the information is as follows:
Lewis and Clark County Attorney/Public Administrator
Courthouse - 228 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 447-8221
E-mail: countyattorney@co.lewis-clark.mt.us | | Update posted on Sep 20, 2008 - 4:11AM |
Three Helena men accused of torturing and killing about two dozen cats had their initial appearance in District Court Thursday afternoon.
Brandon Wayne Hartford, 26, Andrew Joseph Welch, 20, and Kyle K. Hallowell, 19, each face a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
Hartford and Welch, who both remain under custody, are set to be arraigned Oct. 2. Hallowell, who has posted $25,000 bond, will be arraigned Thursday.
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.
Aggravated animal cruelty carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $2,500.
Hartford and Welch each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $50,000 for 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.
Hallowell also was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer, for which he faces a maximum of six months in jail.
Investigators say the men drove around neighborhoods during the night, stalking stray and pet cats, ultimately luring the felines into their car. They would then take the animals to one of several locations, which included construction sites, wooded areas and the house on the 2800 block of Winslow Avenue where the men had been living.
The men told detectives they had killed between 16 and 24 animals and the spree was spurred by their joint dislike of cats. | Source: HelenAir - Sept 19, 2008
Update posted on Sep 20, 2008 - 12:20AM |
References« MT State Animal Cruelty Map
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