Quiet about deer case

IRAAN Two teens accused of beating two deer to death in Iraan were allowed to play in a basketball tournament the day after they confessed to the crime, but coaches and officials aren’t saying anything else about the case.

Maj. Steve Whitaker of the San Angelo division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed that the four boys confessed to the crime on Dec. 14, a Friday. Whitaker declined to comment further, stating that the incident is still under investigation.

The beating deaths have garnered national attention with PETA pressing for harsher penalties for the four teens involved in the case.

The teens could’ve faced cruelty to animal charges. Instead, they’ve been charged with hunting deer with illegal means and hunting deer in closed season, both Class C misdemeanors that carry $500 fines.

Two of the students were identified as Call Cade and Zak Owen, both 17. The other two were not identified because of their ages.

Both Owen and Cade played Dec. 13 to 15 in the Alley Hoop Tournament in Iraan.

Owen and Cade played in the Saturday game against Fort Hancock.

Cade scored 6 points, while Owen scored 2 points during the game, helping the Iraan Braves beat Fort Hancock 82-74.

The students have a plea hearing scheduled for Jan. 8 with Pecos County Justice of the Peace Cathy Ervine.

The school district has disciplined the students in the trapping and beating of the deer in the baseball field at Iraan High.

As part of their punishment, the teens will spend the spring semester in the district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement. They will be kept off campus for 88 days and are expected to return to full student privileges in the fall.

The animals were found Dec. 7.

Iraan basketball coach Coy Barker said he had no comment over the incident.

Football coach and athletic director John Fellows referred all comments to Superintendent Kevin Allen.

Efforts to reach Allen were unsuccessful Monday.