Wade Bennett, 18, of Cayuga, Indiana only fined $1 for killing whooping crane in Indiana State Court
Quoted from April 20, 2011 article in "St. Petersburg (Florida) Times". " Two people have pleaded guilty and been sentenced for shooting a migrating Whooping Crane in Vermillion County, Indiana in November of 2009. Wade Bennett of Cayuga, Indiana (USA), who was 18 at the time of the incident, and a juvenile were sentenced in Indiana State Court last month to probation, fines and fees. Bennett's fine was $1 with court fees totaling $504.50." The article in the April 20, 2011 edition of the "St. Petersburg (Florida) Times" continued to say that, "The slain whooping crane was considered the most important bird in Operation Migration, the program designed to reintroduce a migrating population of whooping cranes to the Eastern United States."
This is unbelievable! What was the Judge thinking? This kind of violence should have a far greater penalty. What kind of precedent is this setting? A review of this case should be made and the Judge who sentenced this violent young man should be held accountable!
The fine of only $1 given to Wade Bennett of Cayuga, Indiana in Indiana State Court for killing a whooping crane is ridiculous! The Judge should be held accountable for this unthinkable "punishment". What kind of message is this sending? Wade Bennett should have a much more reasonable sentence. Probation and at least 300 hours working for a wildlife organization should have been the very least he could have been given. The signers of this Petition ask the staff Indianapolis Star investigate the Judge who issued this inexcusable fine. The ruling should be overturned and a more realistic penalty should be given.
