COLUMBIA, Mo. (CN) - A Kansas City man who has appeared with his animals on "Animal Planet" wants to bring live alligators into a Boone County courtroom when he goes on trial for animal cruelty charges in July.
An attorney for Ken Henderson, 67, made the request to Boone County Circuit Judge Christine Carpenter, The Associated Press reported.
Henderson's attorney wants to show the jury that the alligators are domesticated and that Henderson takes care of them like pets.
Henderson was charged in June 2011 with 17 counts of animal abuse, after animal control officials searched his van at the Boone County Fairgrounds and found several animals, including seven alligators.
Follow @@joeharris_stlSubscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.