wah moo poo.jpg

Three men were arrested by Springfield police Wednesday for illegally hunting in Forest Park. From left are Hsa Wah, Kehney Moo and Patty Poo, all of Springfield.

(Springfield police photos)

SPRINGFIELD - Citing language problems, a judge halted the arraignment of three men charged with killing birds, turtles and frogs during an illegal hunting trip Thursday to Forest Park.

The defendants - Patty Poo, 54, of 211 Oakland St., Kehney Moo, 38, of 83 Acushnet Ave., and Hsa Wah, 60 of 85 Acushnet Ave. - used slingshots with rocks and

lug nuts to kill wildlife at the park's Lilly Pond and other spots, police said.

Bags containing dead turtles, frogs and birds were confiscated from the defendants Thursday afternoon by police responding to 911 calls from people in the park.

All three were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, hunting without a license, violating park regulations.

They were scheduled for arraignment in Springfield District Court Thursday, but the lack of an interpreter halted the hearing.

Judge William Boyle continued the case to June 11.

On a prosecutor's recommendation, the defendants were released without bail and ordered to stay out of any Springfield park.