The new head of the National Rifle Association was involved in the brutal torture and murder of a cat while a brother in college.
Douglas Hamlin, who was named CEO of the NRA this year, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty in the vicious 1980 murder of his fraternity cat, BK.
Hamlin was attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor when he and four of his Alpha Delta Phi brothers were accused of capturing the cat, cutting off its legs, tying it with a rope and setting it on fire stiches.
The students killed the cat because they were angry that it wasn’t using the litter box, according to local news reports from the time The Guardian.
Douglas Hamlin, who was named CEO of the NRA this year, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty in the vicious 1980 murder of his fraternity cat, BK.
Hamlin, who served in the Marines after college, previously served as executive director of the NRA’s publications division
The animal’s murder, which occurred in December 1979, outraged the community at the time and all five students were expelled from the fraternity, including Hamlin, who was the group’s president at the time.
District Court Judge SJ Elden ruled against Hamlin during the case, saying that as president of the fraternity he could have stopped the “unconscionable and heinous” murder.
Judge Elden also suggested that the fraternity tried to cover up the crime to protect its members.
One of the brothers involved in the murder told The Guardian that the incident was “regrettable” and “not a good chapter for anyone.”
District Court Judge SJ Elden singled out Hamlin during the case, saying that as chairman of the fraternity he could have stopped the “unconscionable and gruesome” murder.
Hamlin, pictured with his wife, was elected executive vice president and CEO in May
The fraternity’s cook, Earl Carl, resigned after the murder, as reported by Michigan Daily, and filed a lawsuit claiming that members of the group tried to silence him.
Carl said Hamlin attempted a cover-up.
The five men had their data deleted after they had each completed 200 hours of animal-related community service.
Hamlin told DailyMail.com on Monday that he was not directly involved in the cat’s murder.
“I in no way condone the actions that took place over 44 years ago,” Hamlin said.
“As chapter president, I have taken responsibility for this unfortunate incident, even though I was not directly involved. Since that time, I have served my country, raised a family, volunteered in my community, started a business, worked with Gold Star families, and raised millions of dollars for charity. I have tried to live my life in an impeccable manner.
“My focus now is on protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Hamlin, who served in the Marines after college, previously served as executive director of the NRA’s publications division.
He was elected executive vice president and CEO in May after former NRAS boss Wayne LaPierre was found liable in a civil trial in New York in February for unlawfully using millions of dollars of the organization’s money to support an extravagant lifestyle. pay.