By Staff
CASSOPOLIS - Jason Yeomans faces sentencing in Cass County Circuit Court Jan. 14, 2005, after pleading no-contest to arson of a dwelling house, four counts of torturing animals and two counts of felony firearms.
The LaGrange Township man, 30, was accused of shooting a horse, a dog and two cats and setting fire to his home at 57803 O'Keefe St. last July 14.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz said in a statement Monday that Yeomans' criminal episode resulted in the complete destruction of the marital dwelling, the burning deaths of two cats, the shooting, maiming and eventual death of his wife's horse and the shooting and maiming of the family dog.
The canine was put to sleep shortly after being shot due to extensive injuries to the head and muzzle area, Fitz said.
Two related felony firearm charges were dismissed earlier due to insufficient evidence to pursue those counts. The defendant's no-contest plea took place Oct. 29 in Cass County Circuit Court.
Sentencing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, at the county Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, before Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge.
The arson charge is a felony punishable by 20 years in prison. Torturing animals is a four-year felony. The felony firearms are two-year felonies.
Each felony firearm count is concurrent with the other felony firearm count and consecutive to the arson and torturing animals charges.
The case drew national attention from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which called for vigorous prosecution of Yeomans.