Marines give boot to suspects in horse shootings

A total of 34 horses were killed

February 23, 1999
Web posted on CNN Interactive at: 12:53 a.m. EST (0553 GMT)

(CNN) -- Two men who face trial on charges of killing 34 wild horses in Nevada have been discharged by the Marine Corps, CNN learned Monday.

Lance Cpls. Scott Brendle, 21, and Darien Brock, 20, were "administratively processed for separation for commission of a serious offense and received a discharge under other than honorable conditions," according to a statement from the commanding general of the first Marine division, officials told CNN.

The officials said they were not sure when the discharge was first issued.

The Marine Corps had pledged cooperation with investigators and denounced "this type of abhorrent behavior" in a statement last month.

The Marine Corps action came as a surprise because the two have yet to be tried. Officials had said they would most likely be discharged from the Marines and lose all benefits if they were found guilty.

"It's unfair because they haven't been tried," said Jerry Polaha, an attorney for Brock.

Animals died slow, painful death

The two Marines and Reno construction worker Anthony Merlino, 20, were arrested last month on charges of grand larceny, grand theft and maiming, poisoning or killing another person's animal in what many here have called a senseless massacre of Nevada's treasured animal.

The three suspects, all from Reno, grew up together and have been friends for years. Brock and Brendle were home for the Christmas holidays at the time of the alleged shootings.

Storey County Sheriff Pat Whitten said the three are awaiting a preliminary hearing on May 19.

Grand larceny and grand theft carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and maximum fines of $10,000. The other charges carry up to 5 years in prison.

The wild mustangs were shot on December 27 at close range with a high-caliber rifle. Most died a slow, painful death after being shot in the spine, gut and other areas that did not kill the animals immediately.

One of the horses was tortured with sprays to the head from a fire extinguisher before being shot.

One investigator described it as "a senseless, random shooting of wild horses."

The killings outraged the community and the nation, and a reward fund of $35,000 was set up from donations across the country for information leading to the arrests.

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.