Second suspect in Jewett animal abuse case pleads not guilty

The Jewett animal abuse case gained more traction Oct. 21 with the arraignment of a second defendant, Jamie Wright, who faces 42 charges related to abuse of a companion animal.

Each charge carries a potential offense level of fifth-degree felony, first-degree misdemeanor or second-degree misdemeanor. Wright will be sentenced according to one level for each offense. If convicted on all counts at the felony level, she could face up to 14 years in prison.

The case drew widespread attention in June after the county humane agent discovered 35 dead animals and 14 living ones—mostly dogs, along with a kitten and a bearded dragon—at a home in Jewett.

On June 16, Wright filed a motion to appear by video for her arraignment, but the court denied it because of an active warrant. She later moved to Indiana, where she was arrested Oct. 13 by the Anderson Police Department and transferred to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department.

Judge Shawn Hervey presided over Wright’s arraignment and entered a not guilty plea on her behalf after she said she could not afford an attorney. He said she would likely be assigned a public defender.

Wright’s bond remains at $10,000 with a 10% option, allowing her to pay $1,000 to be released. Prosecutor Lauren Knight requested continued bond conditions prohibiting contact with companion animals or the co-defendant. Hervey said those conditions were already in place and added a waiver of extradition because Wright resides out of state.

When Wright asked if she could return home, Hervey told her she could if she posted bond. Wright said she is unable to post bond at this time.