Man who left dog to die withdraws guilty plea

Historic City News has learned that St Johns County Circuit Judge Michael Traynor has allowed Randal Bryen Hart to withdraw his previous guilty plea to charges that he cut his dog’s throat and left him to die in a pasture near his home.

Hart argued that, because of his diagnosed schizophrenia and prescribed medications, although he verbally indicated he understood what was happening before the Court on February 12, 2013, regarding the charges against him and the plea that he was entering, his medical condition prevented him from fully understanding the nature and consequences involved in such a decision.

Since the motion came before sentencing had been handed down, Traynor said that he liberally construe Hart’s right to withdraw his prior plea.

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled before the Court on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 8:30 a.m