Saturday, November 1, 2008
Police arrest teen accused of mutilating a crocodile
MIAMI (WSVN) -- Authorities said $8,500 put together by several organizations helped lead to an arrest of a teenage boy who was responsible for mutilating a crocodile.
On Friday, a mother requested a public defender after appearing before a judge with her son, John Michael Herndon.
Herndon is accused of a vicious crime against an endangered crocodile on the University of Miami campus earlier this month.
According to the University of Miami Police, the charges are serious enough that Herndon could face adult charges. "It was a very disturbing killing of that crocodile," Chief David Rivero said.
Authorities said the crime happened at a canal next to the university's police station, just three miles away from the teenager's apartment, where police said they found the knives used to mutilate the reptile.
Police said, on Oct. 1, five people witnessed the teen killing the crocodile, two also chopped off the crocodile's head and tail.
According to officials from the Circuit Court Juvenile Division, Herndon's ability to move about will be very limited. "He's allowed to stay in his house 24-7 except to go to school. That's the only excuse that I am aware of," Judge Robin Faber said. "If the home detention folks give him a special excuse after he speaks with them first, and he has that advanced permission, he can do it while on home detention."
Police said they found the animal's DNA evidence in Herndon's apartment, and he is facing several charges including, killing a threatened or endangered species and felony cruelty to animals.
The teenager's next court appearance will be on Dec. 30.
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