LIHUE — A bench warrant was lifted against the defendant in an animal cruelty case on Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court. Lara Butler-Brady, who faces 16 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in a case dating back to 2010, missed her June
LIHUE — A bench warrant was lifted against the defendant in an animal cruelty case on Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Lara Butler-Brady, who faces 16 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in a case dating back to 2010, missed her June 10 jury trial hearing and a bench warrant was issued.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said the defendant has had a good history of making court appearances over the course of the three-year-old case. The court granted the motion to recall the bench warrant and $2,500 bail for the defendant.
Butler-Brady appeared in court Tuesday with her defense attorney Craig De Costa. He said the defendant was hospitalized after medication failed to control an infection.
Special Deputy Attorney General Sheri Lawson represented the state via phone. She submitted a letter objecting the motion to recall the bench warrant, in part, because of the late notice from counsel that the defendant would not be in court on June 10.
The Attorney General’s office took the case on May 15, 2012.
The court moved the new trial date to Oct. 28, 2013.
Butler-Brady is the former proprietor of a 165-acre Keapana Horsemanship riding stable in Hanamaulu. An investigation by Kauai Humane Society declared the horses emaciated and led to the 2010 indictment. The horses remain in protective custody at the KHS shelter in Puhi on private property.
