Sanders was scheduled to appear before Lake County Superior Court Judge Stephen O. Hedstrom in Clearlake on Friday, but the arraignment was called off because Sanders does not yet have legal counsel.

It was the second time Hedstrom was obliged to continue Sanders' arraignment because she lacked an attorney.

Earlier, attorney Edward Alvord, whose name was linked to Sanders' defense, sent word to the court that he will not be present to represent Sanders and is not her defense attorney.

Hedstrom said that he thought Sanders has had enough time to find an attorney – the District Attorney's Office filed charges in September of last year – and questioned the delay.

Hedstrom indicated that he may appoint counsel for Sanders.

"If I do assign a public defender for you, it doesn't mean that you can't change counsel later," he told Sanders.

Charges were filed against Sanders by the District Attorney's Officer after it received a lengthy report by Lake County Animal Care and Control describing the horses' pitiful condition resulting from mistreatment and not being regularly fed.

Middletown veterinarian Jeff Smith said at the time that the condition of the horses owned by Sanders was "as bad as it gets."

Prior to being charged in the case, Sanders asked for and received permission to find homes for the horses from Animal Care and Control.

Morgan Nelsen, an officer of that agency, said Friday that all of the horses that were placed by Sanders are still alive.

E-mail John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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