SAN ANTONIO – The couple who owned the dogs that killed an elderly man earlier this year will go to trial in the spring.
During a court hearing on Wednesday, 226th District Court Judge Velia J. Meza said the jury selection for Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder will take place on March 22 and April 12, respectively.
Both are charged with injury to the elderly and dangerous dog attack resulting in death.
During their first court appearances it was decided that going forward, their hearings on the case would be together.
If Schnieder chooses, she can have her case tried together with Moreno’s case on March 22.
Wednesday’s hearing determined that Dec. 1 is the last day for prosecutors to hand over all evidence to the defense. The deadline to file all motions is Jan. 5, and a hearing on pretrial matters is Feb. 2.
The last day for a plea is March 8.
Moreno along with his wife, Schnieder, were arrested days apart after investigators said three of the couple’s dogs escaped from their yard in the 2800 block of Depla Street and were roaming free when two of them attacked Ramon Najera, 81. Najera died from his injuries in the Feb. 24 attack.
His wife, Janie, and two others were taken to an area hospital for treatment but survived their injuries, police previously said.
Three San Antonio firefighters fought off the dogs to get to Najera and his wife, using pickaxes and pike poles to protect themselves. One fire captain was injured but has since recovered, San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood previously said.
San Antonio Animal Care Services later took custody of the three dogs owned by Moreno and Schnieder. They were all eventually euthanized.
Injury to the elderly is a third-degree felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years and/or a maximum fine of $10,000.
The charge of dangerous dog attack resulting in death is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.