Trial delayed for man accused of shooting bulls
Robert "Bobby" George Jr.
courtesy/ Routt County Sheriff's Office
Steamboat Springs — A trial has been postponed for the fifth-generation Routt County rancher accused of shooting two bulls in the testicles, killing one of them.
Robert "Bobby" George Jr., 48, of Yampa, has been charged with five felonies. The charges are criminal mischief, theft of agricultural animals, attempted theft of agricultural animals and two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.
The four-day trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday, but the district attorney's Office and George's attorney asked that it be delayed. Judge Shelley Hill wrote in her order that she "reluctantly" granted the request.
According to the request from the district attorney's office, additional time will help them possibly reach a plea deal. A plea deal could also be reached as a result of another pending criminal case George has in Summit County, in which he faces three felonies and two misdemeanors related to a domestic issue.
The Routt County case is related to a June incident.
According to a search warrant, longtime South Routt County rancher Frank Stetson learned from George's wife that two of his breeding bulls had been shot. The wife claimed that George had shot the bulls. George was angry because the bulls were on their property.