Trial for teacher accused of feeding puppy to turtle postponed
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PRESTON — The trial for a science teacher who allegedly fed a puppy to a turtle has been postponed until January.
Robert Crosland was originally scheduled for a jury trial beginning Oct. 26. It will now take place on Jan. 3 and 4, 2019 at the Franklin County Courthouse before judge David A. Hooste.
Crosland is accused of feeding the puppy to the turtle at Preston Junior High School earlier this year. Following an investigation by the state attorney general, Crosland was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
The Idaho Office of the Attorney General had filed a motion in July to move Crosland’s trial from Franklin County to another county in eastern Idaho, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com. Prosecutors also suggested selecting jurors from another county because finding a fair and impartial jury in Franklin County “would be extremely difficult.”
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Crosland’s attorney objected to the motion and claimed Crosland’s right to a fair and impartial jury could also be compromised elsewhere because of pre-trial publicity.
The judge ruled to leave the trial in Franklin County.
Crosland is back in the classroom this school year teaching biology at Preston Junior High School. If convicted, he could face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.