Lohnes Pleads Not Guilty

by Bea Peterson
Michael Lohnes of Hoosick Falls appeared before Rensselaer County Court Judge Andrew G. Ceresia on July 1 to face charges in connection with a December 29, 2008, burglary at a Hill Road farm in the Town of Hoosick. In addition to the burglary charges, Lohnes is accused of criminal mischief and cruelty to animals. A horse named Skye, boarded at the farm and owned by Dawn Feathers was stabbed 20 times and killed the night of the burglary.
It had been expected that Lohnes would plead guilty to the charges against him in exchange for two and a half years in jail. Instead, after listening to his legal options offered by the Judge, Lohnes, accompanied by his attorney Matthew Foley, pled not guilty.
“Lohnes had previously waived his right to a grand jury,” said District Attorney Richard McNally. “We had talked to everyone involved in the case and felt we had worked out a fair deal.” Now the case will be presented to the grand jury, and McNally said he expects, with the evidence they have, there will be an indictment. Should the case go to court and Lohnes be found guilty, he could face at least seven years on the burglary charge alone. With the additional charges, it could be as much as eight to nine years.