Woman accused in Reba the bulldog’s death makes guilty plea a day after secret hearing

One of the people accused of causing a bulldog’s death last summer entered a guilty plea Thursday afternoon, a day after a judge attempted to hide a hearing in her case from public view.

Markeisha Foster, 30, pleaded guilty to a count of attempt to kill, disfigure or maim an animal of another.

Public defender Seth Strickland said the prosecution and defense would agree to a seven-month jail sentence with seven months credit. Prosecutors agreed to release her on June 30, he told District Judge Susan Johnson.

The offense is a “wobbler,” meaning it could be treated as a felony or gross misdemeanor.

Foster and Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, were each indicted on a count of cruelty to animals in December after authorities accused them of abandoning their pet bulldog, Reba, in a plastic tote that was sealed shut. The dog was left outside a Las Vegas supermarket in July and was in breathing distress when she was discovered.

Despite attempts to save her life, Reba died. Her case led to heavy publicity, a campaign to find those who killed her and “Reba’s law,” which recently passed the Nevada Legislature and aims to stiffen punishments for animal cruelty. The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.

Foster’s entry of plea hearing followed a secret hearing conducted by District Judge Ronald Israel on Wednesday, apparently at the request of her attorneys, that an attorney for the Las Vegas Review-Journal said was unconstitutional. Court spokesperson Mary Ann Price said he was absent Thursday because of a personal matter.

Plea deal

It’s not clear if Foster has agreed to testify against Laushaul, whose trial is scheduled to start this month. Defense attorney Philip Singer, who represents Laushaul, said an exhibit attached to Foster’s plea agreement is sealed.

Foster’s public defenders declined to comment.

District Attorney Steve Wolfson said Foster has spoken with investigators and may be helpful as a witness against Laushaul.

Laushaul is the “main perpetrator” and prosecutors did not have a strong case against Foster, who could have argued she was just present at the time of the crime and was under the control of her dominant boyfriend, the district attorney said.

Wolfson saw the plea as a good result.

Animal rights activists who attended the hearing disagreed.

Jamie Gregory had hoped Foster would not make a plea deal.

“A plea deal means that she will be able to get out of jail most likely and that’s kind of where she belongs,” said Gregory.

John Waudby referred to the agreement as a “sweet plea deal.”

“I’m angry,” he said. “I’m infuriated.”

Singer said Foster’s plea will make it easier for him to defend his client, since she has admitted to her involvement in the killing.

“She’s going to have to face my cross-examination,” he said. “I’m sure they haven’t prepared her for that.”

Secret hearing

Video provided by the court Thursday showed at least a portion of what occurred after Israel cleared his courtroom Wednesday without explanation.

Marshals walked around the courtroom, looking for recording devices. The video recordings then stopped at 12:34 p.m. and restarted at 12:49.

“In order to go any further, we need to make specific findings of fact as to why you are requesting this sealed courtroom on this case,” Israel said outside of public view.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Agnes Botelho and Philip Singer, Laushaul’s attorney, said they didn’t want a closed courtroom.

Chief Deputy Public Defender Shane Zeller then withdrew his request and said it would be fine to allow the public back in, but that he would not put negotiatied terms on the record.

The recording showed that after Maggie McLetchie, an attorney representing the Review-Journal, arrived, Israel ordered his courtroom door closed on her and continued to talk about the plea with the other lawyers. It was not clear if he knew McLetchie was attempting to challenge the closure.

Once allowed in the courtroom, McLetchie told Israel she had concerns with the way he handled the closure.

“Any request for closure is supposed to be publicly filed,” she said. “The public is supposed to have an opportunity to be heard before closure. A motion for closure and dialogue with the court and argument should not be made behind closed doors.”

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.