The felony animal cruelty trial involving a young couple from San Bruno has been delayed, and the shut down of criminal courts due to the coronavirus seems to only be a small part of holdup.
Trials have all come to a halt with the speedy trial rule put on hold for 60 days, but arrangements are continuing electronically.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe explained that the earliest the trials can resume is mid-June, meaning the trial for Paul Souter and his San Bruno girlfriend Shelby Lujan that was initially set for Monday will be delayed again.
“It will not be able to proceed because of the freeze on jury trials,” he said. “We will have to reset it to later this year, and that’ll be the tenth time it’s been set for jury trial since the crime occurred four years ago.”
29-year-old Souter is accused of purposely burning his girlfriend’s 2-year-old Maltipoo with hot tea and coffee multiple times, and she’s being charged with failing to report the abuse.
The dog eventually died.
Both defendants are out on bail with Souter facing three years in prison.