Law students killed exotic bird at Las Vegas resort, prosecutors allege

(CBS/AP) LAS VEGAS - Prosecutors have filed charges against two California law students accused in the death and decapitation of an exotic bird at a Las Vegas resort in October.

Justin Teixeira, 24, is charged with killing another person's animal. He is also charged with torturing the animal and abandoning it. If convicted, he could face time in prison, CBS affiliate KLAS reports.

Eric Cuellar, 24, is charged with instigating, engaging in or furthering an act of cruelty to an animal. He faces a sentence of two days to six months in jail, community service and a fine.

Police say the two University of California, Berkeley law students were seen Oct. 12 laughing and throwing around the body of a dead, 14-year-old helmeted guinea fowl at the Flamingo resort-casino. The large bird named Turk was part of the Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat, a garden area with ponds and streams that houses many types of birds.

Both men are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 11, 2013.

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