By Matthew Osborne
Cherokee Scout
Murphy – After losing her horses nearly a year ago, Janice Dockery is getting them back following a second dismissal of animal cruelty charges against her.
The latest came after a 41/2 hour hearing Thursday afternoon that included testimony from two Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies, a farrier, a veterinarian and a horse rescuer – all called by the state to make the case that Dockery’s seven horses had been mistreated and neglected over a long period of time.
The seven counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty were being charged for a second time after being dismissed initially because the state’s star witness – Dr. Brittany Beil – was on a preplanned vacation, and the judge would not permit any more continuances.
After being seized on Oct. 22, 2018, Dockery’s horses remained wards of the court through the interim period between the first dismissal and the refiling of the charges, leading to more than $25,000 in bills for Cherokee County for their care. County Manager Randy Wiggins said Monday he does not expect the county to get any of the money reimbursed in light of the dismissal.
Dockery declined to comment after the hearing was concluded, but she wrote a lengthy statement that can be read online at https://www.cherokeescout.com/.
“I will soon be able to see my horses again. I pray to God in heaven that we can just be left alone to live in peace,” Dockery said to conclude her letter.
At the Thursday hearing, Judge Roy Wijewickrama heard the state’s elaborate – though repetitive at times – case during the bench trial. He was asked afterward by defense attorney Nathan Earwood to again dismiss the charges.
The warrants for these charges – which noted that the horses were covered in mud and feces, something covered extensively throughout the hearing by all the witnesses – noted an offense date range from Feb. 26, 2018, through Oct. 22. The judge dismissed the charges based on the lack of evidence ranging back to the alleged start time of the offenses