The Newport Daily Express has reported on pre-trial happenings concerning the accused Big Jay cutters. In a surprising turn of events, Paul Poulin fired lawyer David Sleigh during a closed door hearing recess. According to the article, Poulin was specifically concerned about Sleigh’s inability to answer what happened to a motion to dismiss the charges.
The article details issues concerning how valuation of the forestry damage is being measured. While estimates for replacing the cut trees at nearly $48,000 seems unreasonably high, the damage is almost without a doubt measured above the $1,000 felony charge level. A plea could be dependent upon how the damaged is valuated.
Pre-trial hearings continue later this week and the prospect of a jury trial is not out of the question with a jury potentially determining the issue of damage valuation.