Man Accused Of Killing 70,000 Chickens Speaks Out - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

DELMAR, Md. - 21-year-old Joshua Shelton says he's been the center of public humiliation after allegedly cutting off the power in three poultry houses - leading to the death of 70,000 chickens.

Shelton was found lying in the power control shed, and police say he smelled of alcohol. "We found him in there passed out to such a state that the deputy had a little trouble waking him up," Lieutenant Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said.

On the night of August 24, Shelton says he and a friend were invited to the property on East Line Road. "She invited us out to her house to have some drinks with her. She was also drinking along with us and I actually don't remember anything that happened after that," he said.

But authorities say they believe Shelton was there by himself. He's charged with burglary, malicious destruction of property, trespassing and animal cruelty. However Shelton says he has a witness who can plead his case. "He was there with me and ended up leaving me because I wouldn't leave with him. He said that he walked back behind the chicken houses and seen me and girl having relations, so he left me," he said.

Shelton wants all of his charges dropped and plans to plead not guilty on all counts. "A big misunderstanding, really what it is," he said.

But he says he's willing to pay a portion of the $20,000 - $25,000 lost by the poultry farmer. "I don't mind paying restitution on some of the chickens - not all of them, because I believe it wasn't all my fault. I feel really bad about it, I do."

Lieutenant Robinson says regardless, "just because you may not realize what you're doing, does not alleviate yourself from responsibility."

A judge granted Shelton a 30 day continuance for further investigation at a preliminary hearing on Thursday. He is set to appear back in court on October 25. Shelton says he has a witness, new evidence and wants a trial by jury.