Unfortunately, I don't see these two getting much more than a slap on the wrists.
I live in Iowa, and remember all-too-well a few years ago, when the two 18 year-olds broke into Noah's Ark (a no-kill cat sanctuary in Fairfield, IA), and beat over 30 cats to death with baseball bats. They were only charged with 2 years prison time, and I believe they are now released. SICK SICK SICK!!!!!!!!!!
BTW, animal cruelty and violence against animals intiated by a child or a teenager is one of the early indicators of sociopathic, criminal behavior. Many serial killers were well-known animal abusers as children. I had a student (VERY SICK 11 year-old, behavior disorder, NO REMORSE FOR ANYTHING, conduct disorder, oppositonal-defiant, you name it) earlier this year whose family brought home one of those adorabe mini-doberman puppies for a family pet. Within one hour of the dog being in their residence, the father found the child holding the dog in the bathtub, all of it's limbs amputated with a kitchen knife. The dog died, even after prompt emergency care. This student only made it with me for 3 weeks, and then was placed back in residential treatment. SAD.
I'll be praying for these two kids. They are NOT right in the head, and absolutely NEED to experience real legal repercussions for their heinous actions. Very disturbing.