.. because apparently, teenagers are now aware that beating a cat to death with a hammer (and then bragging about it, of course) is an acceptable extra curricular activity. One that comes without any bothersome consequences - unless you happen to dislike being rewarded with a short vacation from school, of course.
But otherwise, hammer away.:thumb:
NO CHARGES IN WESTSYDE CAT KILLING
Three Westsyde teenagers alleged to have brutally beaten a cat to death last year will not face criminal charges.
Kamloops Crown Counsel released a statement today (July 5) saying there was not a substantial likelihood of conviction should the file proceed and charges were therefore not approved.
Last September, Kamloops Mounties announced at a press conference they had recommended animal-cruelty charges against the three teens, all of whom are older than 14.
Police launched an investigation into the incident in May 2010, after one of the teens alleged to have been involved allegedly boasted about killing a cat on his Facebook page.
Rumours circulating at Westsyde secondary were that the youths beat the animal to death with a hammer. Police at the time said only that the cat was brutally beaten.
The incident is alleged to have taken place on May 26, 2010.
The three youths were suspended from Westsyde before the end of the 2009-2010 school year. They were allowed to return to the school in the fall.
In B.C., police investigate alleged crimes and pass on reports to the Crown office, where lawyers then decide whether charges will be laid.
According to the Canadian Department of Justice, Crown Counsel in B.C. bases charge approvals on public interest and "substantial likelihood of conviction" as opposed to "what a 'reasonable person' can conclude."
The provincial policy requires prosecutors to consider the admissibility of evidence, the weight likely to be given to the admissible evidence and the likelihood that "viable, not speculative, defences will succeed."
Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Grant Learned said senior officers from the local detachment met with Crown lawyers on Monday (July 4) and were informed the charges wouldn't proceed.
"Our senior officers agreed with the decision that was put forth," he said.
"In the discussions held with Crown, they identified the weak points in the investigation, particularly where they see a viable defence that can be made available."
Awesome.:doh: