The trial of Donny Long, has been delayed after the prosecution moved to stay proceedings pending an appeal regarding key evidentiary rulings. The State of Florida filed a Motion to Stay Proceedings on February 6, 2025, arguing that recent court decisions have significantly weakened their case.

Donny Long, facing charges of extortion, threats to a public official, and possession or distribution of pornography depicting sexual contact with an animal, was originally set to stand trial on October 28, 2024. However, a series of judicial changes and evidentiary disputes have now pushed the case into further uncertainty.

The legal battle intensified after the original trial judge made rulings on the admissibility of evidence, only to later grant the defense’s Third Motion to Recuse. Following the appointment of a new judge, Donny Long’s defense team sought a reconsideration of all prior rulings, including those concerning the State’s evidence.

After a hearing reviewing these issues, the court ultimately ruled to exclude a significant portion of the prosecution’s evidence, a move that prompted the State to appeal. The prosecution contends that the trial court erred in reconsidering prior rulings without the defense meeting the necessary burden to justify such a review.

The State’s Motion to Stay Proceedings outlines multiple reasons for delaying the trial, chief among them being the exclusion of crucial evidence that the prosecution deems essential for proving the charges. In the motion, Assistant State Attorney Monica V. Smith argued that the court:

• Reconsidered previous rulings without sufficient justification from the defense.
• Conducted a hearing on evidence admissibility without proper notice or specificity regarding the evidence at issue.
• Improperly excluded key evidence critical to proving the defendant’s alleged crimes.
• Left the State without a fair opportunity to present its case, creating an unfair disadvantage at trial.

The motion further asserts that the State has no other remedy if the trial proceeds under the current restrictions, as the evidentiary limitations could severely hinder the prosecution’s ability to establish Donny Long’s guilt.

With these concerns in mind, the prosecution has formally filed a Notice of Appeal with the Sixth District Court of Appeals, seeking a reversal of the trial court’s rulings. The Attorney General’s Office has been engaged in the appellate process, and the State is now awaiting further judicial review.

Judge Jalal A. Harb granted the Motion to Stay Proceedings, effectively pausing the trial until the appeal is resolved. This means the case will remain in limbo until the Sixth District Court of Appeals rules on the admissibility of the disputed evidence—a process that could take weeks or even months.

For now, Donny Long’s legal team has successfully delayed the proceedings while the State fights to reinstate evidence they believe is critical to proving the allegations. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether the trial resumes under the current restrictions or if the prosecution will regain access to the contested evidence.

This delay marks yet another twist in an already complex legal saga, leaving the accused, the prosecution, and the public waiting for the next judicial decision.