State v. Cheryl and Edwin Criswell

¶1 Cheryl Lee Criswell and Edwin James Criswell were convicted in the Eleventh Judicial District Court, Flathead County, of aggravated animal cruelty. The Criswells appeal, raising two issues: (1) whether the State presented sufficient evidence to convict and (2) whether the District Court abused its discretion in denying the Criswells’ motion for a mistrial. We affirm as to both issues.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

¶2 On January 5, 2011, the State charged Cheryl and Edwin each with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, in violation of § 45-8-217(2), MCA. In the Amended Information,…