Latest news with #Laushaul
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nevada lawmakers approve Reba's Law; it's now on the governor's desk
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Monday was the last day of the 120-day legislative session in Nevada and late that night, Nevada lawmakers passed Reba's Law, an animal cruelty measure. The proposal, Assembly Bill 381, was aimed at strengthening penalties against animal abusers after the death of an English bulldog who died in July 2024 after she was left sealed inside a plastic tub in 110-degree heat. She initially survived, but died days later as a result of heat stroke. Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy proposed the bill, which also establishes a wider range of penalties so prosecutors can more easily make the punishment fit the crime, she said. 'As I stated from the beginning, the intent was to seek justice for Reba and to be the voice for the voiceless, those that are harmed, abused and killed that can't speak for themselves,' Hardy said in April when the bill, which missed a deadline to move out of committee, was granted an excemption to be revived. Current law allows only misdemeanors to punish people involved in a wide variety of animal cruelty cases. The sentences range from one to four years in prison, even when the animal dies. This bill calls for tougher penalties in more extreme cases, including when an animal is killed or when a police animal is disabled or killed. The bill lists the punishment in both cases as imprisonment for a minimum term of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than six years. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo had not signed the bill as of Tuesday afternoon. RELATED: Dog dies in extreme Las Vegas heat after woman says she fell asleep, forgot about dog for 20 hours Reba's death made national headlines in 2024 as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' In December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32; and Markeisha Foster, 30, on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. On Monday, the 8 News Now Investigators reported that Laushaul wanted his trial to happen outside of Las Vegas because of intense media coverage. '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.'' The filing indicates Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel was scheduled to hear arguments on both issues Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Defendant in ‘Reba' dog death wants trial moved from Las Vegas due to media buzz
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man accused of leaving a dog to die inside a sealed plastic tub in the summer heat wants his trial to happen outside of Las Vegas because of the intense media coverage, documents said. On July 26, 2024, Las Vegas Metro police officers found the English bulldog, later named 'Reba,' in the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue 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 Markeisha Foster, 30, on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. Laushaul and Foster's trial was scheduled to begin later this month, however, an attorney for Laushaul filed paperwork asking a judge to move the case from Clark County. '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. The May 16 filing indicates Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. [T]he media attention on this case began even prior to the location and arrests of the co-defendants,' Laushaul's attorney said. 'Since that time, the publicity surrounding the case has been sensational, constant and prejudicial. Media coverage has included front page pictures, feature stories, in-depth analyses about how the legislature should increase the penalties for animal-related crimes.' Prosecutors oppose the venue change, writing, 'The mere existence of publicity does not require a trial to be moved.' While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel was scheduled to hear arguments on both issues Wednesday. Before a trial, lawyers for the defendant and prosecutors go through a process called 'voir dire,' where they pick a jury. Each side can reject a certain number of potential jurors until the panel is filled. Foster and Laushaul remained in custody Friday. A judge previously set Foster's bail at $50,000 and declined to set bail for Laushaul. Nevada Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy proposed 'Reba's Bill' to strengthen penalties against animal abusers in the wake of Reba's death. The bill had not passed the Legislature as of Monday, the final day of the session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Reba's Law' at Nevada Legislature toughens penalties for animal cruelty, torture
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Three months before the scheduled trial of a man charged with torturing an English bulldog named Reba, a proposed overhaul of the state's animal cruelty law was introduced on Monday. Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Markeisha Foster, 30, were arrested in December 2024, about six months after Reba was found taped inside a plastic tub left next to a dumpster near a grocery store on E. Twain Avenue near Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road. It was 110 degrees outside and Reba died two days later from the effects of heat stroke. The trial for Laushaul and Foster is scheduled to start on June 16. Reba's ordeal was widely publicized, and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson commented that the punishment didn't fit the crime, calling for tougher laws. A felony charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat, or animal carries a maximum of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Assembly Bill 381 (AB381), known as Reba's Law, was introduced Monday at the Nevada Legislature. It is sponsored by Assembly Republicans Melissa Hardy and Brian Hibbetts, along with Democratic Sen. Melanie Scheible. The bill redefines 'torture' or 'cruelty' to animals, broadening it to people who commit the act and people who allow it by doing nothing to stop it from happening. A willful and malicious violation becomes a category B felony if the animal dies. Also, the bill makes it a Category C felony to hurt a police dog, becoming a Category B felony if the dog is totally disabled or killed. A Category B felony is punishable by a prison sentence of 1-20 years, with a fine of up to $15,000 and possible restitution requirements. Category C felonies carry a prison term of 1-5 years, with fines up to $10,000 and possible restitution. Other sections of the bill would eliminate practices of a court ordering an animal to be sold at auction, which can happen now if police take possession of an abused animal. It would allow for the animal to be humanely destroyed or kept in the officer's care. If the person arrested in the case doesn't request a hearing or the animal's owner hasn't been identified within five days, the animal must be forfeited to the county, city or other local government that took possession of the animal. It would then transfer ownership to a shelter. The bill eliminates an exception that allows cruelty to animals on land used for agriculture. AB381 has not been scheduled for a hearing yet. Laushaul and Foster have been in custody at the Clark County Detention Center since their arrests. The Las Vegas City Council adopted tougher penalties for animal hoarding and animal abandonment in January. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
