Oct 2, 2002 By Patty Shultz 2 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – A Normalville man charged with killing three farm animals with an assault rifle will stand trial in Fayette County court. Michael L. Richter, 18, told District Justice Robert Breakiron on Tuesday that he would waive his right to an attorney and have the charges lodged against him bound over for court in order to move the matter forward.

Richter informed Breakiron and Fayette County Assistant District Attorney Jack Heneks that he had applied for a court-appointed attorney on Monday, but had not received word from the Public Defender’s Office whether he would have legal representation for his preliminary hearing.

“You have the option to waive this to court or I’ll reschedule it,” said Breakiron.

“I just want to get it over with,” responded Richter, as he agreed to move the matter to court.

Richter is charged with shooting an 8-year-old Percheron mare and two Holstein cows belonging to Walter May of Mill Run on Aug. 25.

In addition to the three counts of cruelty to animals, Richter is additionally charged with two counts of criminal mischief and one count of carrying a loaded weapon.

According to police, Richter admitted to killing the animals with an SKS assault rifle after a night of drinking.

Police said after shooting and killing the first cow, Richter turned his vehicle around and returned and shot and killed the second cow. As he was returning home, he told police he shot the horse.

The mare died two weeks later after suffering complications related to the shooting.

Police recovered the weapon along Hawkins Hollow Road, where Richter said he threw it out of the car after shooting the animals.

The weapon is not registered to Richter, according to investigating officer Trooper James A. Pierce.

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