Lawyer says man sorry for beheading duck

ST. PAUL (AP) - The man accused of ripping the head off of a duck at a downtown hotel made "a big mistake" and is remorseful, his attorney said.

Scott Clark, 26, of Denver, was charged with felony animal cruelty after he allegedly ripped the head off of a duck that lived in an ornamental pond at the Embassy Suites Hotel. His lawyer, Michael Colich, said in Ramsey County District Court on Tuesday that Clark is "a fine young man who made a big mistake."

Clark wrote a letter of apology to the hotel and made restitution, Colich said. "He understands what he did was wrong," Colich said. "He's extraordinarily remorseful."

Police have said Clark was drunk at the time of the Sept. 22 incident. He spent four days in jail and lost his job with the federal government, Colich said.

Clark's next court date is Nov. 16.