ILLINOIS -- Aurora resident Lynda Smith, convicted in July of keeping 26 sick and malnourished cats and one dog, is seeking a new trial contending she didn't understand the documents she signed before a Kane County judge found her guilty of animal cruelty.
HOARDED CATS IN TWO HOUSES
Smith, 63, also said she did not get to present evidence in her defense and had ineffective counsel. She is accused of keeping the animals at her home and her brother's, both on Aurora's east side. Aurora Animal Control reported removing most of the animals from Smith's brother's home over a year ago.
Her brother has not been charged. Smith said Friday she wants her day in court.
"I have never been cruel to an animal," she said. "If it's smaller than me or handicapped, or older or can't fight back, I'm not going to take advantage or hurt or maim it. That's not me."
Smith, who has Parkinson's disease and asthma, said she signed the papers because she feared going to prison. She was convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty and failure of owner's duties. Judge William Brady sentenced her to 24 months' probation. She agreed to inspections of her home in the 800 block of George Avenue and was barred from keeping animals.
The city has started foreclosure proceedings. Smith owes nearly $10,000 in property code violation fines.
(Chicago Tribune - Oct 23, 2004)
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