Keum H Lee Case Almost Over -- Verdict is In

*growls* I was going to wait until Monday to post this, but since I've got the results now, I'm going to share them.

http://www.1010wins.com/NY-Couple-Convicted-of-Neglect-in-Horse-Starving-C/6936976

An Orange County judge says a town of Wallkill couple neglected their two starving horses but didn't deliberately abuse the animals.

Judge Jeffrey Berry convicted Keum and Chong Lee Thursday of two misdemeanor cruelty charges but acquitted them of a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty.

Animal welfare groups had pushed for the more serious felony charge.

Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ferrara admitted the felony was difficult to prove because of the way the law is written.

Aggravated animal cruelty is an unclassified felony, punishable by up to two years in jail. A bill pending in the state Legislature would make it a Class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years in state prison. There would be even stiffer penalties for repeat offenders.

The Lees will be sentenced on June 25 and face up to a year in jail on each charge. The horses are recovering at Equine Rescue in Bloomingburg.