ORLANDO, Fla. – The owner of a venomous king cobra that escaped its enclosure and led to a more than four-week search is asking a judge to dismiss the charges against him.
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Michael Kennedy, star of Discovery Channel's "Airplane Repo," filed a motion this week asking a judge to throw out the three misdemeanor charges filed after the snake named "Elvis" went missing.
The Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife charged Kennedy with maintaining conditions resulting in the snake's escape, failing to provide safe and proper housing, and failing to immediately report an escape.
The snake's escape kept children at a nearby elementary school inside for more than one week.
In his motion to dismiss the charges, Kennedy's attorney writes, "... the State has effectively placed Mr. Kennedy in a position where his constitutional right to an adequate defense is lost."
An Orange County judge will hear the motion and all other motions in the case on Jan. 29.
Kennedy is also appealing efforts by FWC to revoke his license to keep venomous reptiles on his property.
No hearing dates have been set in that case.