Attorneys for two Salina Animal Shelter employees facing misdemeanor animal cruelty charges have filed motions asking for a change of venue and for the Saline County Attorney’s Office to be disqualified from prosecuting the case.
The June 30 motions argue the prosecution has become the focus of what they describe as a sustained, organized, and escalating public campaign against the defendant throughout Saline County and surrounding areas. The filings also say local and regional news outlets published the defendant’s name and booking photograph, including a post that drew about 2,000 comments and 308 shares, and that members of the public made violent and threatening statements. The defense contends those circumstances mean an impartial jury cannot be empaneled in the community.
Defense attorneys further ask that elected Saline County Attorney John Reynolds and attorneys from his office be removed from further participation, requesting instead the appointment of a special prosecutor. The motions also describe the case as originating from citizen complaints and contend that Reynolds’ spouse was photographed distributing materials connected to a group aligned with the complaining witnesses.
Animal Services Manager Monique Hawley and Operations Superintendent Andrea Murphy face three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty each. Both waived the reading of formal charges, and the judge entered not guilty pleas. A jury trial is scheduled for early September, with potential penalties of 5 days to 1 year in jail and fines ranging from $500 to $2,500 if convicted.