3 Teens Avoid Jail in Killing of Birds ; Judge Reluctant to Interrupt Recovery

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TOMS RIVER - Calling their actions "so evil and base" that they shocked people around the world, a judge nonetheless let three Ocean County teenagers avoid jail terms Friday for bludgeoning to death several rare birds at a zoo for abused animals.

Superior Court Judge Edward Turnbach acknowledged feeling intense pressure from the public and the media to sentence the trio to jail. But he said doing so would interrupt their recovery from years of drug and alcohol abuse, and noted the law carries the presumption of non-incarceration for defendants facing such charges who have little or no prior criminal history.

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Extract

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3 Teens Avoid Jail in Killing of Birds ; Judge Reluctant to Interrupt Recovery

He sentenced Matthew Ronneberg and Thomas Cavanaugh, both of Lacey Township, ...

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