Andrew M. Campbell and Alexander Lakos

Killing of a crane

Bedford, NH

August 26, 2001

Campbell age 18 of 27 Swan Ave., was charged with a felony animal cruelty, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and conduct after an accident. Bail was set at $1000 cash and he was released to the custody of his mother at his hearing in Merrimack, District Court on August 27th.

The charges are a Class B felony because the nature of the attack was unnecessary and unprovoked. Lakos and Campbell's charges of animal cruelty and criminal mischief would have been a misdemeanor but because the damages are each over $1,000 and the crane is federally protected the charges were upgraded. The crane is being kept frozen in the event it is needed during court proceedings.

Campbell returned to court on September 19th (case #012823) and was given a deferred sentence and fined $960 as long as he remains on good behavior. His case is now in the hands of the Hillsborough Superior Court Grand Jury.

Lakos age 18 of 17 Stephanie Dr., was arrested 12 days after Campbell and pleaded not guilty to criminal trespass and entered no pleas to felony charges of cruelty to animals and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. He was released on $20,000 personal recognizance bail pending a probably cause hearing scheduled inn Merrimack District Court on October 10th. Judge Gregory Michael ordered Lakos to have no contact with the victim and stay within 200 yards of his property, and have no contact with co-defendant Campbell. The judge further warned Lakos that any bail violations, including use of drugs, carrying firearms or traveling outside of New Hampshire would not be in his best interest. Lakos was arrested by Bedford Officer Sean Kilbreth who spotted Lakos at Dunkin Donuts at 9:50am on his way to school.

John and Elise Vratsenes discovered their sand hill crane bloodied and beaten to death inside the their private bird sanctuary on Sunday August 26th, 2001. The crane is a rare and federally protected. Federal charges may also be filed as well as a civil suit.

The Vratsenes sanctuary is a 300 x 300 foot-fenced enclosure, which houses about 70 birds. The Crane (one of 2) has been in the sanctuary since 1994. The value of the crane is estimated to be $1,250. Their sanctuary is filled with more than 60 birds, including several peacocks. Vratsenes may also file civil charges once the criminal charges have been settled. It took John and Elsie Vratsenes 9 months to have the completed paperwork approved by the NH Fish and Game Dept. to be the caretakers for the pair of sand hill cranes.

Police believe Campbell and Lakos climbed a small tree, just outside the sanctuary's 8-foot fence, broke a rake and bludgeoned the crane with the rake handle. Police found the suspects after receiving a report that two mailboxes had been smashed along Gage Rd., near where the crane was killed. Police found a license plate from the car, which they connected to Campbell.

The Bedford police would not say which of the 2 teenagers was responsible for the killing, but the Campbell complaint states only that Campbell "did knowingly aid another by transporting him…" while the Lakos complaint alleges that Lakos "did purposely beat an animal…"

John Vratsenes hopes the boys are punished to the full extent of the law. "If you can kill a 15 lb. bird, I guess you can hurt a 30 lb. child, too. Vratsenes states that the remaining crane (cranes mate for life) seems to be slowly getting back to her normal routine. "She still goes to the corner where the other one was killed and just sits there, but she's doing more running, more trying to fly around. She's been more playful over the last week". In captivity, it is not unusual for the sand hill crane to live to 96 years old. The crane that was killed was about 7-8 years old.

All the birds, mute swans, blue peacocks, white peacocks, golden pheasants and Himalayan monats are scared. "They're walking around in the back, away from visitors to the site stated Vratsenes in an interview with the Manchester Union Leader on 8/27/01.

Update 03/07/02:  Campbell filed a motion in Hillsborough County Superior Court of intent to plead guilty to one of the 5 charges.  He is scheduled to appear at a plea/sentencing hearing on March 25, 20002, his 19th birthday.

Lakos is scheduled to appear in court for jury selection on April 29, 2002.

Update 10/25/01: The 2 Bedford teenagers have been indicted on 2 Class B felonies, animal cruelty and criminal mischief by a Hillsborough County Superior Court Grand Jury for animal cruelty for beating a sand hill crane to death with a rake. Both entered not guilty pleas and are scheduled for trial in Superior Court on March 4, 2002.

Update 09/19/01:  Merrimack District Court deferred the sentence and fined Campbell $960. The case has now gone to Federal Court because the crane was part of a wildlife sanctuary and federally protected.

Merrimack District Court released Lakos on $20,000 bail, he is to have no contact with the owner of the sanctuary or the co-defendant, and is to remain within 200 feet of his property.  The case has been turned over to Federal Court.

Reference:

The Bedford Bulletin

The Merrimack Journal

The Manchester Union Leader

The Merrimack District Court

The Concord Monitor