In a court document filed Monday, Breiner urges the judge to grant Gutierrez a deferral because “he has accepted full responsibility, expressed sincere remorse for his conduct and has received the majority of the public backlash for his participation in the offense.  

If Gutierrez had accepted full responsibility he would have pled guilty.  This is no more than his attorney trying to get the least punishment for his client.  I do not think the DA should have accepted the lesser charge and hope that the Courts sentence all of them to the maximum extent allowed.  To murder and mutilate defensive animals does not deserve sympathy.