Flamingo Abuse Trial in LV Sees Potential Juror Dismissed Over Profane Remark

A prospective juror who could have ended up in a highly controversial trial of a Canadian tourist accused of stealing and abusing a flamingo at the Flamingo Las Vegas has been removed by the judge. The juror could not help himself and made a profane remark about the defendant in a courthouse hallway. He Couldn’t Remain Impartial The incident occurred Tuesday, October 13, as jury selection continued in the case against 34-year-old M.F., who is currently facing two counts of animal cruelty over the alleged theft and mistreatment of a flamingo named Peachy. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, court staff overheard the prospective juror referring to F. as “the piece of s*** that took the flamingo.” The man had already told Judge Jacqueline Bluth that he could not remain impartial because of the extensive media coverage surrounding the case. “It was all over the news, social media, everywhere,” he said. “I cannot be fair in this case.” Following a private discussion with attorneys, Bluth decided to remove him from the jury pool, citing concerns about his ability to serve fairly. Disturbing Details F., who is from Ontario, Canada, has been accused of entering the resort’s outdoor flamingo habitat during the early hours of March 3, 2026. Investigators say surveillance camera footage showed the man chasing one flamingo and injuring its wing before taking another bird, Peachy, from the enclosure. He allegedly tried to hide the bird beneath his shirt and jacket before he boarded an elevator with another man and went up to the hotel’s 14th floor. Police said F. announced, “I’m taking it home,” after leaving the elevator. Investigators later found images and videos on F.’s phone that allegedly showed him choking Peachy and throwing the bird to the floor. According to the arrest report, the flamingo screamed during the incident while F. laughed. F. reportedly told officers he had been drinking heavily and claimed he took the bird to try to “pop” its wing back into place. He also described his own behavior as “repulsive,” according to the report. Officers found Peachy distressed but alive. The bird and the flamingo whose wing was allegedly injured earlier were treated by veterinarians working with the resort and reportedly made full recoveries. Caesars Entertainment, the owner of the Flamingo Las Vegas, described the incident as “deeply distressing.” Six Men and Eight Women in the Jury F. has pleaded not guilty, and his defense attorney, Joshua Tomsheck, has said he intends to contest the allegations at trial. F. remains out of custody under electronic monitoring. According to the Review-Journal, attorneys selected a jury of six men and eight women after questioning dozens of prospective jurors. Their exposure to news coverage, attitudes toward animals, and ability to evaluate the evidence objectively were among the issues considered during selection. The questioning also revealed differing perspectives on animals. Some candidates described their pets as members of the family, while another said he hunts and eats “anything I’m allowed to.” The trial is expected to proceed with prosecutors presenting their evidence concerning Peachy’s disappearance and alleged mistreatment. F. remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.