Judge Mills called to duty; dog-fighting trial delayed

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February 5, 2009

KNG unit asked to help with ice storm cleanup

By Dean Manning The Sentinel-Echo Thu Feb 05, 2009, 11:22 AM EST

A call from the governor has delayed the trial of two men accused of running a dog-fighting operation, which was scheduled to begin Monday.

Laurel Circuit Court Judge John Knox Mills was to preside at the trial of Joe C. Lewis III and Dalton Brewer, who are each charged with one count of first-degree cruelty to animals. However, the 17-year veteran, who serves with the Kentucky National Guard’s 138th Fires Brigade in Lexington, said he was notified Saturday that the governor had mobilized all Kentucky National Guard units in response to the ice storm that ravaged Western Kentucky.

“About 2 p.m., they called and said, ‘get here as soon as you can,’” Mills said.

Officials at Mills’ office said commonwealth’s and defense attorneys met Monday and agreed to return to court Feb. 20 for a pretrial hearing, at which time a new trial date may be set.

Brewer, Lewis III and Joe Lewis Jr. were arrested in July by Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies who began an investigation after receiving an anonymous tip.

At the home at 429 Adams Road in North Corbin, deputies Richard Sapcut, Robert Mitchell and John Inman reported finding two dogs, a Saint Bernard mix and a pit bull, with scars.

Deputies said the Saint Bernard was chained to a stairwell near the home, only being let loose to fight the pit bull.

“Both animals were injured to the point that neither dog could walk without assistance,” Laurel County Sheriff Fred Yaden said previously.

In October, Judge Roderick Messer approved the commonwealth’s motion to dismissed the charge against Joe Lewis Jr. because, after reviewing the case, Commowealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele said he did not believe there was enough evidence to warrant the charge.

If convicted of the Class D felony, Steele said Lewis III and Brewer each face 1 to 5 years in prison.

“We don’t need this kind of think in Laurel County,” Yaden said previously.

Mills said his next trial in Laurel County is scheduled to begin Thursday.

“We will see,” Mills said when asked if he would be back on the bench. If not, I will try to get a senior (retired) judge to cover it.”

Staff writer Dean Manning may be reached at dmanning@sentinel-echo.com.