During the arraignment, Judge Elder explained both of the crimes Arand is accused of committing, which included unlawfully and intentionally killing a human being, as well as unlawfully and maliciously killing or torturing an animal. Elder also informed Arand of the penalties he faces in regard to each count.
“If convicted, this is an off-grid crime,” said Judge Elder of the statute for the first degree murder charge. “The sentence shall be imprisonment for life, and shall not be subject to statutory provisions for suspended sentence, community service or probation.”
If convicted of animal cruelty, Arand also faces no less than 30 days and no more than one year in prison, as well as a fine of anywhere between $500 and $5,000.
Arand’s attorney is requesting a sanity evaluation from Larned State Hospital to assess the state of Arand’s mental health, and will file a motion regarding the findings by Friday, April 3. Judge Elder expected to rule on the motion on Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m., with decisions on a jury trial to proceed.
