Anyone can make comments about killing a animal that bites them in harsh jest (just as I sometimes joke about giving away one of my dogs because it poops on the floor) and not mean it and simply be in sort of maybe poor taste....

I think much of the issues will be more in the husbandry, the quick sales, and the complete lack of understanding of a typical snake's behavior. A snake generally doesn't bite out of a decision to be "mean" but from a perceived threat.

I've had a ball python that was 'mean' and struck all the time. I tried every trick I heard of(short of stupid ones that would be harmful, of course) and ended up leaving her alone except for needed water/feeding/cleaning. I would have quite happily sold her if I could have gotten a decent price for a bitey snake. She wasn't a pet, she didn't want to be a pet, and would likely never become a pet. She was still a magnificent animal and I didn't take it personally that she didn't want this giant naked monkey grabbing her and messing about with her. She was just a python and I respected her nature.

But I can guarantee there were days that when she'd nailed my wrist yet again, that I would tell her quite loudly what I would like to do to her. I never once harmed her, never intended to harm her. It was just frustrated words.

Now if someone has some sort of proof that he was killing snakes for nothing but the 'crime' of being bitey, then he's a jerk who should have his name plastered everywhere so people don't sell him their own animals. IF he just made a stupid remark, no harm.