Animal abuse case to go to trial

INDIANA -- The owners of a Summitville-area farm where dozens of dead animal carcasses were found in spring of 2013 decided Monday that they want their day in court.

 

Daniel and Carrie Ault, 34 and 31, respectively, didn't have anything to say at a scheduling hearing in Madison Circuit Court 1 where defense attorney Bryan Williams and Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings nailed down a trial date. The preparation for a trial is a reversal from the previously prevailing opinion between Williams and Cummings that a plea agreement would be reached outside of trial.

But Williams said he's still optimistic a deal can be reached out of court.

 

 

"I think we're all trying to find a way to properly go about this," Williams said. "The criminal justice system isn't even kind of designed for a case like this."

Williams noted that neither he nor Cummings had handled a case like this in two decades of practicing law, and the inability to hammer out a deal both sides can agree on is likely due to the case's unprecedented nature.

"All of the issues on that farm in regard to the Aults have been resolved. And the typical terms of probation in a criminal case, like drugs testing, alcohol, curfew; those don't even remotely apply to the Aults in their situation," Williams said. "I think [Cummings] is still processing what to do in that regard. And I'm hoping he takes into account that the circumstances are resolved."

In discussions with Court 1 Judge Angela Warner Sims, Williams and Prosecutor Rodney Cummings agreed on a date of Feb. 3, 2015, for the trial. The sides agreed there will be a lot of evidence in a trial, necessitating at least two weeks of open court dates that won't be available until next year.

The case dates back to April 9, 2013, when neighbors complained of a strong smell coming from the farm at County Road 1700 North near 350 West in Boone Township. Investigators found 171 animal carcasses and 165 animals, some in very poor health. Detectives also said they found squalid conditions in the buildings on the property and evidence that the Aults were living there with their two young children.

All told, the couple faces 96 counts of improper disposal of a dead animal, 15 counts of cruelty to an animal and two counts of child neglect.

(The Herald Bulletin - September 29, 2014)

Earlier:

• Dozens of dead animals found at property in Madison Co.
• Nearly 100 deceased animals found in Madison Co. barn
• Madison Co. couple posts bond shortly after being charged in farm case
• Owner says he was simply too busy to feed his dying animals