Michigan Farmer Convicted Of Neglect After 72 Calves Found Dead

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A jury has found a Mount Pleasant farmer guilty of providing inadequate care leading to the death of 72 calves and of improperly burying them.

The Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant reports John Montross of was convicted Thursday after jurors deliberated for about 45 minutes in Isabella County court. He's set to be sentenced in November on a felony count of neglecting 10 or more animals and a misdemeanor count of improper burial of animals.

A lawyer for Montross presented him as a struggling farmer who was dealt a whammy by a harsh winter. Attorney attorney Keeley Heath admitted her client broke state law in failing to properly bury the dead calves, but argued that he'd bought the already marginal and sickly animals hoping to nurse them to sale weights and turn a profit.

Prosecutors — who brought in veterinarians, police officers and animal control officers to testify — said Montross left the dead animals lying where they fell or in piles around his rented farm, on West Remus Road (M-20) west of Mt. Pleasant.

In closing arguments, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Robert Holmes said all prosecution witnesses described conditions on the farm – including inadequate bedding soaked with urine and manure.

"If you buy weak animals that need extra care, you still have to provide extra care for them," Holmes said. "If you have a hospital without an intensive care unit, you don't take patients that need intensive care."

A separate trial on insurance fraud charges is on hold while Montross' attorney tries to have evidence from his farm suppressed.

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