3 get probation in fatal bludgeoning of birds

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) -- Three teenagers charged with bludgeoning eight exotic birds to death at a zoo for abused animals were sentenced Friday to three years of probation.
Judge Edward Turnbach called the actions last May of Matthew Ronneberg, Thomas Cavanaugh and Matthew Mercurio "evil and base," but said the three men, all of them 18 at the time, would be better served by continuing drug and alcohol treatment.
Prosecutors said the three scaled the fence at the Popcorn Park Zoo and used a plastic pipe, a shovel and a rake to bludgeon three ducks, three emus and two rheas.
They also killed a goose at a park, spray-painted swastikas at a paintball business and smashed a church's stained-glass window.
The judge ordered them to pay $402 in restitution to the Popcorn Park Zoo -- which takes in abused and neglected animals from around the country -- $33 to the church and $4,500 to the paintball business.
The men could have gotten 10 years in prison.
They pleaded guilty in December to animal cruelty, criminal mischief and burglary.
The zoo's director, John Bergmann, said they deserved a tougher sentence.
They told the judge they were sorry for the killings.
Their lawyers said the young men were under the influence of drugs and alcohol during the spree.
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