KENT COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — It was an outwardly despicable crime and it’s still unclear why police believe anyone would want to set fire to a barn filled with horses at a riding camp where children came for therapy.
Police say the suspect torched the barn April 8, 2017 of this year, killing 13 horses at the Barn for Equine learning in Lowell Township.
What makes it even worse is that police allege that Payton Mellema locked the doors from the inside so no one could rescue the horses.
The 20-year-old has just been formally charged with third degree arson and one count of killing or torturing animals.
The arson charge is the more serious of the two, a ten year felony.
Mellema’s attorney Jeff Crampton says his client has a history of mental health and fire-starting behavior and needs treatment, not punishment.
Mellema is being held on $350,000 bond, after the judge added another $100,000.
