Change of plea expected in caribou slaughter case

ANCHORAGE - One of the men accused of gunning down and leaving to rot the carcasses of dozens of caribou near Point Hope has agreed to change his plea.

The Anchorage Daily News says that Randy John Oktollik wants to change his plea of not guilty. The 26-year-old is facing charges of wanton waste and failure to salvage edible meat, both misdemeanors.

Oktollik was one of eight men from two hunting parties charged with wanton waste and failing to salvage meat. Charges were filed after Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to a tip. They say they documented at least 37 caribou wasted at 25 kill sites stretched along a trail.

Troopers have said more than that appeared to have been wasted but they could not be sure because of decomposition and scavenging.

All the men charged have pleaded not guilty. The seven others are scheduled to go on trial Nov. 30.