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Meduna found guilty in horse neglect trial

Published Friday, January 15, 2010 at 05:32 PM

A former Morrill County Rancher accused with the malnourishment and death of horses and burros placed in his care has been found guilty of 145 counts of cruel neglect of an animal resulting in serious bodily injury or death.

The district court jury in Bridgeport deliberated for five and a half hours Friday before returning the verdict in the case of Jason Meduna. Meduna owned the 3-Strikes mustang ranch 22 miles south of Alliance, where more than 74 horses and burros died on the ranch this past spring. Surviving horses, who were in extremely poor condition, were removed to other locations in a national rescue effort.

Meduna remained stoic as Judge Leo Dobrovolny read the verdict on each felony count. There were only four counts where Meduna was found not guilty. Meduna's wife Anissa started crying as the verdicts were read and then left the courtroom as the guilty verdicts piled up. Meduna could receive up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced by Dobrovolny February 23rd.

Witnesses for the state, including, neighbors, owners of horses Meduna was caring for, and an Alliance veterinarian, testified a lack of feed and grass on the ranch contributed to the animal's deaths and the poor condition of the surviving horses. Meduna maintained the drinking water on the ranch had been poisoned . The jury came in with its verdict shortly before the 9 p.m, the deadline for the end of deliberations Friday.

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