New trial denied in horse case; sentencing set for Sept. 24

9/9/2010

Robin Vess, the Oak Harbor woman convicted in April of neglecting dozens of horses at her farm, will get no new trial, the judge in the case ruled Wednesday.

Ms. Vess was convicted April 30 on 42 counts of animal cruelty following a four-day trial involving numerous witnesses.

Her attorneys filed a motion in July to request a new trial, alleging that a prosecution witness in the case had a "vendetta" against her. The witness, Karen Miller, who is president of the Arabian Horse Club of Greater Toledo, was one of four witnesses called by the prosecution.

However, Judge Frederick Hany of Ottawa County Municipal Court said that, given the amount of other evidence presented to the jury, the trial results would not have changed if Ms. Miller's testimony had been omitted.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24.