By Pat Raia as published in The Horse
Convicted Horse Abuser Attempts to Twist the Law
A Montana rancher found guilty of maltreating a herd of horses residing on his property has appealed his conviction to that state’s Supreme Court.
Jim Leachman prepares to leave court last year after being found guilty of cruelty to animals. ~ photo by Bob Zellar
In 2011, Yellowstone County prosecutors charged rancher James H. Leachman with multiple counts of misdemeanor cruelty in connection with a heard of approximately 450 horses residing on land owned by the Crow Tribe. Five of the animals connected to the case where euthanized due to their condition; the surviving horses were placed in new homes. Leachman pleaded not guilty to those charges. A jury later found Leachman guilty on five counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. He was sentenced to pay $5,000 in fines and to serve five consecutive years in jail;.all but 120 days of that jail sentence was suspended. Immediately after the conviction, Leachman appealed the case to the Yellowstone District Court; Leachman’s sentence was stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. According to court documents, that appeal was denied.
A representative for Montana Supreme Court Clerk Ed Smith said that in September 2013, Leachman appealed to the Montana Supreme Court regarding the lower court’s finding. And on Feb. 24, Leachman filed a brief connected to the Supreme Court appeal.
In the brief, Leachman said his ranch was sold to another family during a Marshall’s sale in 2010, and that family took possession of the real property on which the horses were pastured. As a result, Leachman argued in his brief, he never had custody of the horses.
Leachman, who has represented himself in all the court proceedings, declined comment on the case….(CONTINUED)
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Categories: Horse News, Horse Slaughter
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Appeal? I would like to appeal to the court that the sentence was entirely too lite. The original charges should have been filed as felonies not misdemeanors. Stiffer penalties would make people think of the consequences before mistreating animals. Five animals so bad off they had to be destroyed should bring years of imprisonment not days.
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His name says it all. Leach/man read definition of a leach add the word man ergo, its all in the name.
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Do these guys really dress like this daily, do.they realize it doesnt make them look western, just out of date and a little looney. These people need to.leave flat bill hats to the history books and Tombstone movies, and those whacky scarves? What gives? Been in horses for generations, got family.in Texas, California, Kansas, all over, they are western but not like this flakey stuff. Sorry, observation.
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Hi Coltswesternshop, I always notice the footwear – the boots need to at least look like they’ve been worked in or have a good wear on the heel – then I look further. I was pricing the silk scarves at the farm & ranch store and about fell over because they run $85, plus they’re so long I’d probably hang myself by accident on a fence post someplace or on the saddlehorn. I like wearing a scarf or bandana because I have to clean the coal stove every morning and it keeps my neck warm – they do come in handy but I wont even wear pink (and im a girl) cause it shows the dirt. I often wonder about the folks that design western wear and equipment – do they actually use it ? The yearling halters are so huge you could halter a rhinoceros with one.
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Why are the facts only coming out now? As a past hooves humane investigator, we always worked with the people. In most states and counties you have to work within the law. It takes a lot to happen. This fellow needs to do the time for this crime. I often saw these type of violators move the horses from farm to farm to avoid prosecution. In this case, we finally had to visit both farms on the same day. One phone call probably would have saved the lives of the horses. I often wondered if food and water was withheld from them how long they would last. I guess some attornies feel no shame or do not value the lives of these animals. There are some truly sad cases, but this appears to be total neglect all the way around. This guy feels no remorse what so ever. He should rot in hell with the rest of the violators.
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No way No way , I cannot believe this, does this person the one pictured above who was justly convicted of this totally horrendous horrible crime that no human being with one ounce of compassion in his entire body could ever do to a loving innocent animal………………..actually think that anyone would ever give him an appeal??????? If there is any justice here if i were the one to have the authority to rule, I would laugh in his face,and tell him get the hell outta here you disgusting piece of human garbage….. and just be glad we didnt hang your despicable ass !!!!!!!
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