Our judge in Utah just ruled to exclude evidence of animal cruelty at trial
A Litigation Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM Wayne Hsuing, DxE, Direct Action Everywhere
February 24, 2022

The prosecutors argued that “evidence of the conditions and treatment of the animals would be extremely prejudicial to the State” as it might “appeal to the jury’s sympathies and arouse its sense of horror.” Well, they are right that the cruelty and conditions at Smithfield will induce horror in a jury and in the public. But that is precisely why this information must be disclosed.

I just had a hearing in my felony case for investigating the largest pig farm in the nation, Smithfield’s Circle Four Farms, and rescuing two sick piglets. The judge in our case took a major step to side with Smithfield today by granting the prosecution’s motion to exclude evidence of inhumane animal treatment in the trial.

The prosecutors argued that “evidence of the conditions and treatment of the animals would be extremely prejudicial to the State” as it might “appeal to the jury’s sympathies and arouse its sense of horror.” Well, they are right that the cruelty and conditions at Smithfield will induce horror in a jury and in the public. But that is precisely why this information must be disclosed.

In the crowded, filthy environment, staph infections like Greasy Pig Disease spread throughout the farm, causing greasy scabs, painful lesions, and death.

This case is an opportunity to educate the public about the systemized brutality that happens in factory farms and the failure of our government to uphold even the most basic animal cruelty laws.

Just yesterday, The New Republic published a feature story on this case and the legal precedent we are working to establish to bring the rights of animals into the legal system. Read The New Republic feature story on this case here: Animal Rights Activists Rescued Two Piglets From Slaughter. They Wanted to Get Caught

Public attention is key in this case. That is how we can challenge a multibillion-dollar company like Smithfield and encourage the judge to protect animals instead of the corporation abusing them. We need your help to show the world Smithfield’s abuses. This is the footage that Smithfield doesn’t want a jury to see. Will you share it with your social network? Operation Deathstar with Wayne Hsiung and DxE.

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