Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A Rockbridge County judge denied a request Monday from defense attorneys to remove the Virginia Attorney General's Office from the ongoing criminal case against five people connected to the Natural Bridge Zoo, clearing the way for prosecutors to continue handling a case that has stretched on for years.
The hearing centered on a series of defense motions, with attorneys arguing the Attorney General's Office should no longer prosecute the case. Instead, they said Rockbridge County Commonwealth's Attorney Jared Moon should take over.
Defense attorneys argued the criminal investigation was flawed from the beginning, claiming early search warrants originated outside Rockbridge County and that local law enforcement was largely excluded from key decisions. They also argued that having the Attorney General's Office lead the prosecution limits accountability to local voters.
Full story: wset.com/news/local/judge-rejects-bid-to-remove-virginia-ags-office-from-natural-bridge-zoo-criminal-case-karl-and-debbie-mogensen-gretchen-mark-easley-ashley-spencer-august-2026
#trending #zoo #crimenews #police #animals #giraffe #virginia
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WSET is a VA based station and an ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates
#wset #wsettv #wsetabcnews13 #lynchburgnews #breakingnews #lynchburg #trending #localnews #news
A Rockbridge County judge denied a request Monday from defense attorneys to remove the Virginia Attorney General's Office from the ongoing criminal case against five people connected to the Natural Bridge Zoo, clearing the way for prosecutors to continue handling a case that has stretched on for years.
The hearing centered on a series of defense motions, with attorneys arguing the Attorney General's Office should no longer prosecute the case. Instead, they said Rockbridge County Commonwealth's Attorney Jared Moon should take over.
Defense attorneys argued the criminal investigation was flawed from the beginning, claiming early search warrants originated outside Rockbridge County and that local law enforcement was largely excluded from key decisions. They also argued that having the Attorney General's Office lead the prosecution limits accountability to local voters.
Full story: wset.com/news/local/judge-rejects-bid-to-remove-virginia-ags-office-from-natural-bridge-zoo-criminal-case-karl-and-debbie-mogensen-gretchen-mark-easley-ashley-spencer-august-2026
#trending #zoo #crimenews #police #animals #giraffe #virginia
_______________
Follow WSET on social media:
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Facebook: facebook.com/ABC13News
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Twitter: twitter.com/ABC13News
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Instagram: instagram.com/abc13_wset/?hl=en
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on TikTok: tiktok.com/discover/Abc-13-wset
Subscribe to WSET-TV on YouTube: youtube.com/@wsetabc1373/featured
Watch more top local news stories: wset.com/news/local
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wset.com
Watch our live newscasts and other live video at wset.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: newsdesk@wset.com
Call the Newsroom: 431.455.5131
WSET is a VA based station and an ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates
#wset #wsettv #wsetabcnews13 #lynchburgnews #breakingnews #lynchburg #trending #localnews #news
