Alleged Juvenile Taxidermy Thieves Are Spared A Criminal Record, Thanks To Mediation

Occupational portrait of taxidermist Martha A. Maxwell with animal specimens, palette, and rifle.  October 27, 1876.  Library of Congress.

     When I saw the following headline from the March 12, 2014 edition of the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, I knew I had to pass it on to our readers:  “Teen taxidermy thieves finish mediation.”

     Here is the dastardly actus reus:  “The teenagers were accused of breaking into Drury’s taxidermy shop and making off with more than $27,000 worth of mounted animals to mimic a YouTube video.”  As the result of a successful mediation between the teenagers and the owner of the taxidermy shop, the teenagers ended up having to make restitution and do community service – but they were spared a criminal record. 

     Better than being skinned, hung out to dry, and stuffed, wouldn’t you say?

     The full article is here.