Jace Roberts Griffiths
Jace Roberts Griffiths (Boulder County Sheriff's Office)

A University of Colorado student accused of killing a raccoon with a bat last year received a minimum three-month deferred sentence after pleading guilty to Boulder municipal charges Monday.

Jace Griffiths, 20, pleaded guilty to subjecting animals to unnecessary suffering, prohibited killing of wild animals and littering, according to Boulder Municipal Court officials. 

Per the terms of the deferred sentence, Griffiths must undergo a psychological evaluation before Griffiths reports back at the end of the three months, city prosecutor Janet Michels said.

If it is determined Griffiths needs further treatment of any sort, his deferred sentence could be extended until he undergoes the recommended treatment, Michels said.

Griffiths also must complete 24 hours of community service and a decision-making workshop, Michels said.

If Griffiths completes the terms of his deferred sentence and does not have any other criminal cases involving violence or intimidation during that time, the guilty plea will be withdrawn and the charges removed from Griffiths' record.

The violations could have carried a maximum $1,000 fine or 90-day jail sentence.

Griffiths could not be reached for comment Tuesday morning.

Griffiths originally was charged in district court with one count of felony count of aggravated animal cruelty, but the Boulder County District Attorney's Office later dismissed the charge, saying Colorado law allows the killing of "furbearers" -- including raccoons -- during certain seasons for people with the proper licenses.

The city subsequently filed municipal charges against Griffiths.

According to a police report, officers were called to Griffiths' home in the 2800 block of Springdale Lane on Nov. 6 on a report of a person killing raccoons.

When officers arrived, they found a baseball bat covered in blood on the front porch of the house, along with a raccoon skin covered in salt. The porch was covered in what appeared to be dried blood, according to the report.

In a written statement, Griffiths said the raccoon came out of a Dumpster and was walking toward him and a friend.

"We could have walked away, but I decided to go up and kill it so that I could take its hide," Griffiths wrote in the statement. "I immediately regretted hitting it, but, rather than throwing it out, I took the hide and threw the remains in the bottom Dumpster."
