LANSING (AP) -- The Michigan Court of Appeals has reinstated felony torture charges against two horse farm operators. Authorities in March 2007 discovered 69 malnourished horses without food or water on a farm in Jackson County. The horses were found amid piles of trash, rusted auto parts and manure.
A three-judge panel released an opinion Wednesday finding probable cause to bind over James Henderson Jr. and Matthew Mercier for trial. A circuit judge had ruled there was no evidence that the defendants intended to harm horses.
The appeals court also reversed a lower court and ordered the farm's owner to forfeit his herd. Messages seeking comment have been left with attorneys for the two defendants.
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