Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Cruelty, Mischief In Bison Deaths
Jeff Hawn Ordered To Pay $157,000
POSTED: 1:26 pm MST November 3, 2008
FAIRPLAY, Colo. -- A Texas businessman who owns a ranch in central Colorado has pleaded guilty to one count each of criminal mischief and animal cruelty in the slaughter of 32 bison that belonged to a neighbor. Jeff Hawn also agreed to pay $83,000 to the bison's owner, $70,000 to charities and $4,000 to the Park County Sheriff's Department. He could also face up to 10 days in jail when he's sentenced in January.
Hawn, CEO of the Seattle-based software company Attachmate, entered his plea on Monday. He had been charged with 32 counts of aggravated animal cruelty but pleaded guilty to the lesser charges in a deal with prosecutors. Prosecutors said Hawn let 14 hunters to kill the bison because the animals had wandered on to his land and caused damage last April.
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Previous Stories:
- September 12, 2008: Absentee Ranch Owner Accused In Deaths Of 32 Bison
- May 8, 2008: Arrest Warrant Issued For Rancher In Bison Deaths
- April 23, 2008: Owner Of Slain Bison Sues Neighbor
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