Today in Appomattox County Circuit Court, a Spout Spring teenager who was tried as an adult for killing five horses and one dog earlier this year was given a suspended sentence but must complete his stay in detention.

Devin Lee Martin, 15, was ordered to complete six-months of post-dispositional time at the Lynchburg Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where he has been held since his March 22 arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court April 25, 2024 for a review of his stay in that program.

Martin was sentenced to 12 years in adult Virginia Department of Corrections with all time suspended. He will be under supervised probation for five years, the first two with Appomattox County Juvenile Court Services until transferring to adult probation at age 18. Martin will turn 16 years old in January 2024.

An alternative sentencing option is with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, the length of which would be determined by the department itself while Martin is under age 18 if he fails to abide by terms of probation.

Appomattox Commonwealth's Attorney Les Fleet referred to the judgement as a "blended sentence."

"Realistically, we have either option to sentence him to if he violates probation up to age 18. After 18, the Commonwealth would probably ask for adult jail/prison for violations," Fleet told the Times Virginian.

In addition, Martin must maintain good behavior for 15 years, perform 200 hours of community service with an animal care organization, undergo a psychological evaluation, complete any recommended mental health programs, pay court costs, and submit to random drug and alcohol testing. He is not to possess, handle or be in the close vicinity of any firearms during the good behavior period.

On July 13, Martin pleaded guilty to one felony charge of animal cruelty (second offense in five years) and five felony charges of maiming or killing animals.

On March 13, Martin drove to a horse owner's Double Bridges Road property on a 4-wheeler and, from across the road, shot 10 horses that were in a field with a rifle and shotgun. He shot some of the horses again to ensure they were dead. Five horses died. Five other horses were wounded but have recovered. The incident was allegedly triggered by a disagreement between Martin and the horse owner involving a promised horse Martin hadn't received from the owner.

Prior to that incident, on Feb. 15, the teen was bitten on the hand by his grandparents' dog. He then went into the house and retrieved a rifle to shoot and kill the dog. Afterward, he buried the dog in the woods.

Fleet said that Martin was tried as an adult due to the serious nature of the charges and prior firearms incidents that caused property damage. Charges were not pressed by the property owners.

Martin was represented by attorney Jordan Davies. Consuelo Hartman acted as Martin's co-counsel today, filling in for Brandon Baker.

Find out more in the upcoming issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.