Keum H. Lee has now formally been charged with two counts of felony animal abuse and two counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. Today, those charges were read to her. She still has not entered a plea. The next court date is September 16, in Goshen--the case has been adjourned until that date. Apparently, how Lee wants to handle the charges brought against her has not yet been decided.
So, between now and September 16th, things could change--or not change. The ADA and Lee might come to an agreement, in which case Lee will plead Guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charges and perhaps, surrender ownership of the horses and agree to provide payment of all expenses to heal them, and a maximum fine, in exchange for a dismissal of the felony charges. Or, Lee can plead Guilty to the lesser charges but not surrender ownership--in which case we sincerely hope, and strongly support, prosecution of Keum H. Lee for all of the charges currently against her. Pleading Guilty to misdemeanor charges without accepting additional responsibilities for her actions is, quite simply, not enough.
Another possibility is that no agreement between Lee and the ADA is reached, in which case Lee will enter a Not Guilty plea to all charges and it's off to court for a resolution.
Again, our suspicion is that she'll enter a guilty plea for the two lesser charges and surrender the horses. And the ADA will go with it.
Of all of these possibilities, only one will carry the day on September 16. Until that time, the future of Suzi and Whisk, and also that of Keum Lee, remains: undecided.
Linda Brink
Director, Sunnyskies Bird & Animal Sanctuary
Warwick, NY