By GINNY COOPER / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA—Christian Todd Slaton, who was accused of killing, torturing and displaying cats on the UM campus in October 2012, was set to appear in court on May 27 for a status call hearing. The hearing is being postponed and the case continued. A new court date has been set for July 7.

The case was continued “upon Motion of the Parties” in order for “parties to review the evidence and witness testimony and/ or pursue a settlement,” according to court documents filed in the case. This is the fifth time the case has been continued.

Slaton, who was arrested on Nov. 6, 2012, allegedly killed and “hung up for display” two cats near the flag pole in the middle of the quad at UM; dismembered a cat found on the lawn of Flowerhill, the president’s mansion, at UM; and killed a cat later found in a wooded area near Falcon Manor Apartments in Montevallo. He is charged with four counts of intentional animal torture.

Slaton, who was 19 when the crimes occurred, applied for youthful status on June 4 and is still waiting to hear whether the request will be granted, according to court documents.

Slaton was suspended from the university on Oct. 31, 2012 and is currently free on $5,000 bond.