NORWICH – Two individuals were sentenced in Chenango County Court on Monday while a third was found guilty following a three-day bench trial.
• Lauren L. McMaster, 76, New Berlin, entered into a plea agreement in July, pleading guilty to one count of second degree criminal mischief, a class D felony.
In May of 2012, McMaster was charged with multiple felonies, accused of shooting and killing six horses at a property adjacent to Hunts Pond Road in the Town of New Berlin.
Having pled guilty to the felony charge of criminal mischief, it asserts McMaster did intend to damage the property of another person when he had no right to do so, nor did he have any reason to believe he had the right to damage said property – in this case, another person’s horses.
McMaster was sentenced to 5 years probation, has been ordered by the court to pay $14,000 in restitution, and will serve four months of weekends in the Chenango County Correctional Facility.
According to First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee, McMaster will serve his time in jail beginning on Thursdays as opposed to Friday through Sunday evenings – the regular time when those who serve weekends are incarcerated.
Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. ordered McMaster to arrive to serve his weekends on Thursday so that he will be released in time to attend church services Sunday mornings, as he is an avid church-goer.