Las Vegas woman indicted in ‘Reba' dog death takes plea deal
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas woman indicted in the death of an English bulldog named 'Reba' took a plea deal Thursday afternoon, bringing her down to a lesser charge.
On Thursday, June 5, Markeisha Foster, 30, took a plea deal, agreeing to one count of attempt to kill, maim, or disfigure an animal of another. She originally faced a charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat, or animal.
On July 26, 2024, Las Vegas Metro police officers found the English bulldog, later named 'Reba,' in the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue, near Maryland Parkway, next to a dumpster inside a tote that was taped shut.
The temperature that night hovered around 110 degrees. The National Weather Service reported a high of 111 for the evening.
Reba died the next day. Her death made national headlines as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' Last December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Foster on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges.
On May 16, documents were filed by Laushaul's attorney asking a judge to move his case from Clark County because of intense media coverage, instead wanting to the trail to happen outside of Las Vegas.
While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's.
The filing indicated Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury.
RELATED: Nevada lawmakers approve Reba's Law; it's now on the governor's desk
'The media has followed this case/story extensively,' Laushaul's attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Now's reporting. 'Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about 'Reba,' interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to 'how this could have all happened.''
News coverage of Reba's death began in the months after Laushaul and Foster allegedly left her in the heat, as police released video footage of their suspects.
Prosecutors oppose the venue change, writing, 'The mere existence of publicity does not require a trial to be moved.'
Additional details about Foster's plea deal were not immediately known.
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