3rd Grosse Ile Lacrosse Player Charged In Pre-Game Guinea Pig Killing

GROSSE ILE (WWJ) - A third teen has been charged in the killing of a guinea pig before a Grosse Ile High School lacrosse game.

The boy was 16 years old at the time of the alleged crime, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, so his case will be handled in Juvenile Court. His name wasn't released due to his age.

Prosecutors say the boy — identified as a member of the Grosse Ile High School lacrosse team — was involved in what some have described as a sacrifice-type ritual at a pre-game meeting on April 30.

Two older members of the team, who have since graduated, were charged with felonies last week.

According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy 18-year-old Tanner Coolsaet slit the guinea pig's throat. Roth then allegedly grabbed the animal and struck it with a small bat.

The unnamed younger teammate allegedly stabbed the animal with a knife.

He will face one count of killing/torturing an animal and one count of animal cruelty at a pre-trial conference set for Thursday, Aug. 11, before Referee Viola King at the Lincoln Hall of Justice. In juvenile court the penalty for the offense is determined by the judge upon conviction.

Meantime, at a probable cause conference on Tuesday, a judge said Coolsaet and Roth must have no contact with animals, except family pets, and granted Ross permission to travel to Colorado to visit an aunt from in August. The two faces up to four years in prison if convicted as charged on two counts: animals – killing/torturing and conspiracy to commit killing/torturing of animals.

They will be back in court for a preliminary examination on Monday, Aug. 15.

The incident prompted the school to suspend the remainder of its lacrosse season while authorities were investigating. There were reports that team members also drank the guinea pig's blood and that they painted their faces with it, but Worthy has not confirmed those details.

Police have said it didn't happen on school grounds.