The case centered on the violent dragging of a shark is back in the spotlight as attorneys representing two men accused of torturing the animal on video were in court Monday.
The disturbing video has been around the world and shared on social media by people outraged over the dragging of this shark behind a boat.
Robert Benac and Michael Wenzel are accused of torturing the animal.
Wenzel’s attorney’s Courtney Ettel and Stephen Crawford told a judge Monday that more time is needed to prepare for trial.
Ettel said that state prosecutors have yet to hand over all of the discovery material they’ve requested.
The men in the video can be seen laughing while pulling the shark on a rope as it was violently whipped around.
One man laughed and pointed saying quote, “look it’s already almost dead.”
Ettel told News Channel 8 that a state expert testified with information that could give them the upper hand.
“He is now of the opinion that based on the time stamps we do have that the shark was in fact dead at the time of dragging,” Ettel said.
Ettel said the testimony is a big deal and helps their argument.
“You can’t abuse a dead animal, we can all agree on that, so whether the shark was alive or dead is a huge point in this case,” Ettel said.
Charges were dropped over the summer for Spencer Heintz, a third person in this case.
The next hearing will happen on Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. and the judge said a trail date will be set during that disposition hearing.
The judge’s goal is for the trial to take place on Jan. 2019.
