Lohnes Pleads Guilty To Horse Torture And Burglary

by Bea Peterson
On Wednesday, January 13, Michael Lohnes, age 27, appeared in Rensselaer County Court and pled guilty to the full indictment against him. According to Assistant District Attorney Laura Krugler, the Judge told him straight up, there will be no promises. Sentencing will be February 4.
The charges against Lohnes are aggravated animal cruelty, burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the second degree and overdriving torture or injury of an animal, a misdemeanor. Krugler said he could face three and a half to seven year consecutive sentences. As this is the second time he has been convicted of felony charges, he is considered a predicate felon and could face seven to fourteen years in prison.
The charges against Lohnes stem from a December 29, 2008, burglary at a Hill Road farm in Hoosick. A horse named Skye, boarded at the farm and owned by Dawn Feathers, was stabbed 20 times and killed the night of the burglary.
Lohnes was arrested on January 5, 2009. He first appeared in court on July 1 where it was expected he would plead guilty to the charges against him in exchange for two and a half years in jail. Instead he pled not guilty. Lohnes had previous waived his right to a grand jury, but after his not guilty plea, his case was sent to the Grand Jury, and he was arraigned on July 23.
Had he maintained a not guilty plea, his case would have gone to trial. Instead, Wednesday, he pled guilty and there will be no trial.