State rests case in Wright trial

The state concluded its case Monday afternoon in the trial of a 26-year-old Prairie City woman charged with child endangerment in the 2013 dog-mauling death of 4-year-old Jordyn Arndt.

Outside the presence of the jury, Defense Attorney TJ Hier made a motion for acquittal on all charges.

"The state has failed to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that the client knowingly placed Jordan Arndt in a position which she's at substantial risk of emotional, mental or physical injuries that resulted in her death," Hier said.

District Court Judge Richard Clogg overruled the defense's motion and said the state presented "sufficient evidence" on each charge.

Monday included testimony from witnesses who had observed prior violent incidents involving the defendant's canine.

Jasper County Attorney Kelly Bennett is trying to convince jurors Jena M. Wright, 26, of Prairie City, had knowledge of her American Staffordshire terrier's aggressive behavior. The defendant was babysitting 4-year-old Arndt April 22, 2013 at the time of the dog attack. The child later died due to the injuries.

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty took the stand a second time on the state's behalf to testify about a 2012 encounter he had with the defendant's dog while he was off duty visiting Prairie City. He said he parked his car on the street and after exiting the vehicle heard a growling noise from behind.

"The hair stood up on the back of my neck," Halferty said.

The owner of the dog did get control of it moments later, but Halferty said he was prepared to use his weapon if it charged. The sheriff did not report the brief encounter with the canine, but said he wish he would have.

Another witness – Richard Foster – also said he was prepared to use a weapon on the same dog.

Foster shares a property line with the defendant and said there were multiple occasions the canine got through the fence and into his yard. Foster said one time he had a loaded handgun pointed at the dog after it had charged at him.

Another neighbor of the defendant – James Billingsley – also testified he considered shooting the dog and told jurors he kept a baseball bat in his garage in case he ever needed to protect his family from the canine.

Billingsley told jurors he once asked law enforcement what the consequences would be if he was forced to shoot the dog. Wright's neighbor also testified he spoke with the defendant's father-in-law and stepfather regarding his concerns about the terrier.

Billingsley detailed an incident prior to April 22, 2013 where the dog came within 8 feet of him, growled and showed his teeth.

"I wish I had the shotgun," he said.

Monday's testimony began with Tiffany Ewing, who worked with the defendant's husband – Wes Wright – at Prairie City's Casey's General Store in 2013.

She testified she was once driving home after working a shift with Wes Wright and saw the dog loose in the streets. Once out of her car, Ewing said she was "terrified" of the dog's actions.

"He turned around and froze and he stared me down and then I froze," she testified. "He started growling and I felt threatened."

Ewing told jurors she drove back to tell Wes Wright what happened. She testified that Wes laughed and he said it "would never hurt her."

Jena Wright also had two other dogs, one of which was bitten by the defendant's terrier on multiple occasions.

Prairie City veterinarian Jim Walker testified he attended to the defendant's smaller dog, which had suffered lacerations to its neck, twice. However, neither of the incidents were life-threatening.

Wright's attorney maintains the defendant had no reason to believe the dog would attack Arndt.

Minutes before the jury of 10 men and four women were excused for lunch recess Monday, Jena Wright's former friend – Kezia Sandstrom – took the stand on behalf of the state and said she would never leave her children unintended with dogs because "accidents happen."

During cross examination, Hier asked Sandstrom if this was an unforeseeable incident. She replied "yes."

Jena Wright is facing charges of child endangerment resulting in death, a Class B felony, and neglect or abandonment of a dependent, a Class C felony. If convicted of both charges, she could serve up to 35 years in jail. She is also facing misdemeanor charges of assault on a peace officer causing bodily injury and interference with official acts.

The defense will make its opening argument when court resumes at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Canine expert Ron Berman is expected to take the stand in the defense's case.

Contact Alex Olp at aolp@newtondailynews.com