Ohio teen to be tried as adult on charges of stealing baby alpaca that was beaten to death
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HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A judge has ruled a second teenager accused in the fatal beating of a baby alpaca from an Ohio farm should be tried as an adult.
The Butler County Juvenile Court judge ruled Monday the 17-year-old boy's case should go to a grand jury. The boy is charged with breaking and entering, grand theft, vandalism and tampering with evidence in the death of the alpaca, a llama-like animal valued for its soft fleece.
The judge earlier ruled another 17-year-old boy's case should go to adult court. That boy is charged with breaking and entering, grand theft, complicity to vandalism and tampering with evidence.
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Animal cruelty charges against both boys remain in juvenile court.
The alpaca was named Masterpiece and was worth $8,000. Owner Jeff Pergram says it was affectionate and would follow and nuzzle him.