A man convicted of breaking into a zoo and brutally beating to death a Patas monkey will spend up to a year in prison, where he'll take part in a treatment program. A judge sentenced 22-year-old Michael Watkins on Thursday for his role in the Nov. 17 crime at the Boise Zoo in western Idaho state. Watkins gave a brief statement before sentencing, apologizing for his actions, AP reported. Fourth District Judge Lynn G. Norton rejected defense attorney requests for probation. Instead, Norton said she wanted to impose a punishment fitting the crime that still enables Watkins to turn his life around. Watkins was convicted of felony grand theft and animal cruelty, a misdemeanor in Idaho. The judge will revisit sentencing after Watkins completes treatment.
