In a case that has stirred emotions across Maui, a second hunter has been sentenced for the heinous killing of Eddie the Pig. Krys-Ryan Saito Carino, 21, received a five-day jail sentence with the opportunity for deferment upon successful completion of four years of probation, as reported by KITV. This decision was made after Saito Carino and co-defendant Jayden Jarnesky-Magana were found guilty of breaking into Eddie's pen at Kitty Charm Farm Sanctuary, where the beloved 250-pound pig was kept as a pet.
Upon his court appearance, Saito Carino expressed remorse, stating, "I'm sorry for my actions. I'm sorry." The young men's atrocious act included stabbing, and tying up Eddie before dragging him away and ultimately using him to claim victory in a feral pig hunting contest. Despite this admission, the defense pushed for leniency. Saito Carino's attorney, Danielle Laaana Sears, argued, "He is an emerging adult. He did not make good decisions that day." However, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mica Metter harshly criticized the defendant’s actions highlighting the "premeditation, lies, fraud, and lack of humanity," as Hawaii News Now detailed.
Judge Kirstin Hamman expressed the need for punishment, underscoring that Saito Carino's actions went well beyond hunting. "Mr. Saito Carino, you know that having grown up as a hunter. You were not hunting that day you stole and brutally killed a pet pig. And so there has to be punishment for that to reflect the seriousness of the crime and also to promote respect for the law," Hamman stated in the courtroom. Sarah Haynes, the President of Kitty Charm Farm Sanctuary, was left disappointed by the sentence, fearing it would send a message that Hawaii is lenient on crimes against animals, especially considering the premeditated nature of the crime, as per KITV.
Haynes described Eddie as an integral part of her family who came to the sanctuary bearing evidence of past abuse, "I feel so bad because I taught Eddie that humans were okay. He was terrified of humans when I first got him and, I taught him that humans were okay," Haynes told KITV. In the wake of the sentencing, Haynes is now considering a civil case in hopes of ensuring that stronger punishments for animal cruelty crimes are established, to honor Eddie's legacy and protect other pets.
While Saito Carino began his jail time immediately following the sentencing, he has the chance to avoid a permanent conviction on his record if he abides by the court's conditions during probation. This case has sparked discussions on animal cruelty laws and the judicial response to such disturbing offenses on the island.
