Duck stoning defendant makes public apology

Two men stand accused of stoning 50 ducks to death at the Bever Park petting zoo area. That happened in late June of 2008.

Now, one of the defendants is making a very public admission and apology:

To the people of Cedar Rapids,

I am one of the people responsible for the duck killings at Beaver Park. I would like to apologize for this senseless act that I have committed and I know there is no way any apology could ever be big enough to take back the pain I have caused the people of Cedar Rapids. I would just like the people to know that I am also disgusted by what I have done and I am taking full responsibility for my actions.

Shayne Smalling was only charged for his part in the attack on park animals last week. But Smalling asked the Gazette to publish a letter to the editor on Wednesday that will not only admit what he did but also ask the community for forgiveness.

The incident was the kind of story that caught people's attention even amid the flood news in June of 2008. The vandals broke two gates to get in the waterfowl exhibit at Bever Park and stoned ducks to death both in the water and in cages.

Shayne Smalling's letter to the editor says, in part, “I am also disgusted by what I have done and I am taking full responsibility for my actions.”

Smalling is now a Marine stationed in California. Contacted by phone, he didn't add many details but repeated his apology. “It was a very stupid thing to do. It was just a thing that got out of hand,” Smalling said.

Smalling's Cedar Rapids attorney, Michael Lahammer, said he was surprised by his client's request to publicly admit his guilt in the newspaper. But Lahammer said “he's prepared to acknowledge his responsibility and take responsibility for his actions as well as pay full restitution for any damage done to the city of Cedar Rapids.”

Smalling's attorney didn't add many details about the incident...but did say it involved alcohol and happened before his client joined the Marines. Lehammer says Smalling plans to pay damages to the city even before his criminal mischief case is settled in court.

The city spent about $3,500 to replace the ducks lost in the attack. Bever Park Animal Exhibit Coordinator, Julie Myers, said if Smalling is sincere, she accepts the apology.

“I'm glad he's taking some responsibility if he's that kind of person--good, good he'll come out a better person for this,” Myers said.

Smalling told TV9 a felony conviction for criminal mischief might get him booted from the Marine Corps. His reward for confessing and paying damages now would be to stay in the corps.

Zachary Kanellis, 19, also faces charges in connection with the Bever Park duck stoning. The trial for both is currently set for March 1.

Dave Franzman, KCRG-TV