The hearing marked the eighth continuance in the case against Palm City dog trainer, groomer and boarder Nikki Camerlengo. Judge Elizabeth Metzger made her frustration clear from the bench, telling both legal teams the case has been continued so many times she has lost count. At one point, an exchange between the judge and Camerlengo's defense attorney, Stuart Kaplan, grew heated. When Kaplan said the delays were of no fault of the defendant, Metzger replied "I'm not saying that!" as Kaplan protested "You're looking at me!"
Camerlengo was arrested in 2024 on two felony animal cruelty charges after Martin County detectives said two dogs died in her care. The arrest followed a WPTV investigation by Investigative Reporter Kate Hussey that linked at least seven dog deaths or serious injuries to Camerlengo's Pawsitively Paradise facility over the course of a decade. Kaplan is asking the court to block testimony from both the Texas veterinary pathologist who performed the two necropsies and from lead investigator Detective Christine Polizzi.
Prosecutor Kristen Chase did not oppose the latest continuance, saying she is waiting on a deposition of her expert witness scheduled for July 31, delayed by scheduling conflicts. Another status hearing is set for Aug. 3, after the expert deposition.