Key Figure In Walking Horse Scandal Set To Plead Guilty In Chattanooga On Tuesday

  • Saturday, May 19, 2012

A key figure in the Tennessee Walking Horse scandal aimed at trainers involved in "horse soring" is set to plead guilty in Chattanooga on Tuesday morning.

Jackie McConnell is due to appear before Federal Magistrate Court Judge Bill Carter.

According to papers filed in Federal Court, he will plead guilty to one count and all other charges will be dismissed. A 52-county indictment had been issued against him, Jeff Dockery, John Mays and Joseph R. Abernathy. Abernathy and Mays are also set to appear in court Tuesday.

McConnell was in the news this week when the Humane Society of the United States released a video showing him repeatedly hitting a horse in the face - allegedly to teach the horse not to flinch when he was being checked for signs of soring.

McConnell, who is from Collierville in West Tennessee, but is a big part of the walking horse industry centered at Shelbyville, had his license revoked by the association there.

McConnell had a grand champion at Shelbyville in the late 1990s.  

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