5 Reasons Why Alleged Law Student Bird Beheaders Messed Up Big-Time

October 15th, 2012. By AbiK

Want to be a lawyer when you grow up? Here’s a tip: don’t do anything stupid that will give you a criminal record. The equation is simple enough. Stupidity + criminal charges = the lawyer version of “The Scarlet Letter”.  Allegedly beheading a helmeted guineafowl that’s kept in a tourist-laden Wildlife Habitat at a hotel in Vegas would be an example of the “stupidity + criminal charges” equation in action. And, that’s just what two law students from UC Berkeley School of Law have been accused of doing.

According to an ABC News report, Eric Cuellar and Justin Teixeira, both 24 years old, were jailed on suspicion of conspiracy and willful malicious killing of wildlife as a result of their being caught on surveillance video chasing a helmeted guineafowl into some trees then emerging from those trees with the bird–but not the bird’s head–and reveling in their antics.

It’s an embarrassment to the profession all around. But here’s the top 5 reasons why the Berkeley Bird Beheaders messed up big-time with this one–assuming the allegations prove out…

1. It was STUPID. They elected to be complete morons in front of who knows how many surveillance cameras. Begs the question—what were they thinking? They’re law students. They apparently want to finish law school, pass the bar and get a job. There is absolutely nothing here that exudes tactical brilliance. (Refer to “The Scarlet Letter” equation above).

2. It lacks complete regard for #KnowTheCode. Vegas has tried hard—real hard—to upgrade its image over the years. They finally latch onto a campaign—”What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” along with the #knowthecode hashtag—that’s humorous and can appeal to a wide audience—and these two idiots not only bring Vegas behavior back down a notch–but they get caught AND their actions get more publicity than if they’d had a top NYC PR firm working on it. They deserve to be reported—and anyone who feels like doing so can report #knowthecode behavior violations at the Visit Las Vegas website here.

3. It can result in a criminal record. For both of them. Enough said.

4. It’s an example of the worst kind of animal cruelty. If the allegations turn out to be true—which, yes, they appear to be given what’s on the Flamingo-cam—then the disregard these two have shown for life is appalling. Considering those rumors about PETA throwing paint at fur-wearing pedestrians, it’s worth pondering what PETA would do with these clowns (though they’ve already done the worst to themselves).

5. It’s just not cool. A rock star—take your pick—Marilyn Manson, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper—who has rumors flying around about eating live animals onstage or throwing animals out into the audience can be cool (at least to a certain element of the population). But only because they’re RUMORS and they never actually happened (hey, even Snopes says so). Cross the line into reality, and it’s no longer cool. It’s pathetic. Ditto Cuellar and Teixeira—rock stars they’re not.

As a follow-up, the San Francisco Gate is reporting that the dean of UC Berkeley’s law school has stated he was “extremely troubled” by the arrest of the two law students. He also said he was concerned about “the students’ actions off campus, but it’s up to the Nevada legal system to examine the facts and rule in this case. It’s premature to speculate about any possible consequences. The justice system must run its course.”

Yeah, run its course it shall. The boys behind the bird beheading are due back in court on February 11th. In the interim, SF Gate reports they’ve made bail. Stay tuned.

Tags: #knowthecode, Eric Cuellar, Flamingo Hotel and Casino, Helmeted Guineafowl, Justin Teixeira, Las Vegas, law students, UC Berkeley Law School

This was posted on Monday, October 15th, 2012 at 4:56 pm and is filed under Criminal Law, Emerging Issues, lawsuits . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.