5/10/14 - The bench trial of a Cohoctah Township woman charged in an animal cruelty case has begun. The bench trial of 71-year-old Velva Jean Wainscott got underway on Thursday but court records show that it was continued until late next week to allow for a defense witness to appear. Wainscott is charged with abandoning/cruelty to one animal resulting in death and a second count of abandoning/cruelty to 2 or 3 animals. Those charges followed an investigation into the death of a horse found lying on its paddock on her Byron Road property January 12th. She was ordered not to possess any horses while the criminal case is pending, and rescue groups aided Livingston County Animal Control in removing the nine remaining horses from her farm in early February. Wainscott's horses were previously seized by Animal Control in November of 2012 after she was accused of abandoning or cruelty to 10 or more horses. Those charges were dismissed with prejudice and the animals were returned. Wainscottâs bench trial will resume on Thursday afternoon before 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader, who will hear arguments in the case and ultimately render a verdict. (JM)
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