Dec 18, 2002 By Joyce Koballa 2 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – A Normalville man charged with killing three farm animals with an assault rifle waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Justice Robert Breakiron. Michael L. Richter, 18, of P.O. Box 196, is charged by police with three counts of cruelty to animals in addition to two counts of criminal mischief and one count of carrying a loaded firearm.

Richter initially waived his right to an attorney in October and agreed to have the charges against him bound over for court to move the matter ahead.

Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, Richter met with his attorney, Susan Ritz Harper of the Fayette County Public Defender’s office, who stated the charges will be held over for court.

Richter is charged with the Aug. 25 shooting of an 8-year-old Percheron mare valued at $6,000 and two Holstein cows, valued at more than $5,000. The animals are owned by Walter May of Mill Run.

According to police, Richter said he killed the animals with an SKS assault rifle while on a drinking binge one night. Richter also stated he was driving a vehicle without consent from the owner when he shot the animals.

Police further stated that after shooting the first cow, Richter then turned the vehicle around and shot the second cow.

Then, on his way home, Richter shot the horse, which died two weeks later.

Police recovered the rifle along Hawkins Hollow Road, where Richter said he discarded it after shooting the animals. Richter said he obtained the rifle from a West Virginia resident by trading it for his all-terrain vehicle.

Richter remains lodged in the Fayette County Prison on $5,000 straight cash bond.