Colbert County animal cruelty suspect files motion to suppress evidence
COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Colbert County woman accused of animal cruelty filed a motion to suppress evidence in her case.
Debra Catledge was charged after investigators said they found 28 dead horses and skeletal remains of more horses on her property in September 2023. Investigators said they also found several dead and malnourished dogs.
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Her lawyers were in court Wednesday morning, arguing that the search warrant investigators used to come onto her property had been improperly obtained. However, prosecutors say the search warrant was obtained after numerous complaints by neighbors. A plumber who had been on the property also complained.
The defense says Corey Speegle, Colbert County’s animal services director, is not a certified law enforcement officer and legally could not pursue the search warrant.
No decision to suppress the motion was announced, but Judge Mitchell Hays has scheduled another suppression hearing on Thursday morning at 9:00.
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