Prosecutor: Theft was motive in monkey killing

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Prosecutor: Theft was motive in monkey killing

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Prosecutors say the man accused of killing a monkey at Boise's zoo hoped to steal the animal, but he was bitten and then he clubbed it to death with a tree branch.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Fafa Alidjani said Wednesday that Michael J. Watkins entered the zoo Saturday morning, manipulated a lock to get into the primate enclosure and removed the patas monkey by wrapping it in his jacket.

Fourth District Judge Henry Boomer denied a request from Watkins' public defender to reduce bail from $150,000 to $10,000.

Alidjani argued bail shouldn't be reduced because Watkins has a history of arrests from drugs and drunken driving, and probation violations.

Police have said they don't expect others to be charged, but Watkins' public defender, Gary Reedy, told the judge at least one individual entered the zoo with Watkins.

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