Update: No ruling yet on animal cruelty charges for woman accused of leaving her dog to starve in her crate.
There was no ruling Friday on defense attorney Andrew Stine's motion to throw out the evidence against Christine Abrams, the central Florida woman facing two animal cruelty charges. Abrams is accused of letting her dog, Ella, starve to death after she moved out and left the animal locked in her crate without food or water.
Neighbors called police two months after Abrams was gone and they noticed a foul odor; looking through the windows, they saw Ella dead in her crate, a bag of dog food nearby. Abrams, who was living about five miles away, said she did not take the dog because her new roommate did not want pets. Stine has argued that police had no right to break into the house without a warrant.
Abrams and Ella
The case has stirred outrage literally around the world, with animal lovers calling for the judge to levy the maximum penalty against Abrams.
The "Orlando Sentinel" story below says the trial will resume July 4 -- not sure how that is possible, given its a federal holiday. Will post more later.
Below is the rest of Orlando's coverage from Friday.
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Brevard County Judge Kelly Jo McKibben did not rule Friday on defense attorney Andrew Stine’s motion to toss out the evidence against Christine Abrams. The judge will hear arguments from both sides on Friday, July 4 before deciding. A trial date has not has been set.
Earlier today, reporter Laurin Sellers wrote from the courtroom -- The hearing could last for a few more hours. Right now a police sergeant that responded to Christine Abrams' Cocoa home on March 12 is testifying about what he saw that day and why officers entered the house.
They said there was a foul odor and flies and that seeing the dead dog in the crate through an open window only heightened their concern about Abrams' safety. They said they went inside to search for her. But her attorney, Andrew Stine, said they should have obtained a search warrant before entering the house on Peachtree Street.
Stine has spent much of the day grilling the neighbor that called police to the home and the officers that responded.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
SHE SHOULD GO TO JAIL. NO EXCUSE ON WHAT SHE DID TO A HELPLESS ANIMAL. WHY LOCK HIM UP IN A CRATE?
Posted by: MAUREEN | June 30, 2008 1:53 PM
I fear that we have become a society that cares more about the rights of moral maggots than the victim.
Abrams is as guilty as sin...and the arguments about the actions of the police are nonsense.
They acted in a reasonable manner.
Abrams loathsome behavior caused Ella the loss of first her leg...then her life.
She is a disgusting excuse for a human.
Posted by: hAZEL | June 30, 2008 5:38 PM