A jury has recommended that Jason Coats, 18, of Festus, serve 30 days in jail and pay a fine for the April 19 shooting of Suzy, the chimpanzee. Sentencing for Coats is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 4 in Division 2 of the Jefferson County Circuit Court.
Coats was found guilty Dec. 13 on one count of misdemeanor animal abuse and one count of felony property damage. He has filed a motion requesting that he have until Jan. 7 to request a new trial. Judge Gary Kramer had not yet ruled on the motion Tuesday (at Leader press time). Coats' trial was held Dec. 11-13.
Coats had been charged with shooting the chimpanzee three times, once in the back and twice in the face. Coats said that he had feared for his safety before shooting the chimpanzee.
The shooting took place after three chimpanzees owned by Mike and Connie Casey escaped from an unlocked cage and wandered away.
The Caseys operate the Missouri Primate Foundation and Chimparty. The chimpanzees are kept at the Caseys' home on Hwy. CC, south of Festus.
Click to read past Leader coverage on the events that led to "Chimp Crazy."
