Two men who threw a rock at a great blue heron that later died from its injuries have been convicted and sentenced for the crime.
Michael W. Martindale Jr., 29, of Jay, and Ryan Slater, 22, of Wilmington, both appeared in Jay town court late last year, according to a press release issued by state Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5 spokesman David Winchell.
Slater was convicted Oct. 17 for torturing an animal, under the Agriculture and Markets Law. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and returned to state prison for four years because he violated his parole. Martindale appeared in court Dec. 12 and was convicted of illegally taking wildlife and taking a protected bird. He was fined $502.50.
The men were turned over to authorities in August 2011 after several witnesses watched them throw a large stone at a heron near the Jay covered bridge. The bird's injuries were so severe that it was euthanized after spending several days at the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington.
The incident prompted public outcry across the Tri-Lakes region. The Enterprise published several letters to the editors, and it was a hot topic on WNBZ's "Talk of the Town" call-in show for about two weeks.
Essex County Assistant District Attorney Michele Bowen handled the prosecution. She was not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon because she had left the office early due to severe weather conditions.
