Cornell woman deemed competent to stand trial in trooper assault case
Animal investigation ongoing
Brianna Makosky, 22, has been found competent to stand trial. Makosky faces three felony counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer. (Photo courtesy of the Delta County Jail)
13 cats, including the photographed cat here, 12 rabbits and one sheep were seized from a Cornell residence in February after Michigan State Police received reports of animal neglect at the site. All animals seized from the residence are currently being housed at the Delta Animal Shelter on a police hold. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Brianna Makosky, 22, has been found competent to stand trial. Makosky faces three felony counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer. (Photo courtesy of the Delta County Jail)
13 cats, including the photographed cat here, 12 rabbits and one sheep were seized from a Cornell residence in February after Michigan State Police received reports of animal neglect at the site. All animals seized from the residence are currently being housed at the Delta Animal Shelter on a police hold. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
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ESCANABA -- A Cornell woman facing multiple felony charges for allegedly biting a Michigan State Police (MSP) trooper on the wrist during an animal neglect investigation has been deemed competent to stand trial.
Brianna Makosky, 22, faces three felony counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer, each punishable by up to two years in prison and/or $2,000. Her bond was set at $4,000 cash/surety following her Feb. 4 arrest. She was released from the Delta County Jail on Feb. 11.
In a news release, MSP said Makosky resisted troopers, refused lawful orders and bit one trooper on the wrist during their interaction. She allegedly continued to struggle and attempted to bite another trooper after being told she was under arrest.
According to Makosky’s criminal complaint, she allegedly “did assault, batter, wound, resist, obstruct, oppose, or endanger” three different officers.
Makosky was recently found competent to stand trial on July 6 after being evaluated by an examiner officially certified by the department of mental health to perform examinations relating to one’s competency to stand trial.
During a hearing in the 94th District Court in February, Attorney Brandom Thomas Rickard told the court Makosky had been off her medication and was unable to effectively communicate with counsel, adding that “her memory is absent from the event due to blackout spells.”
Wickman countered Rickard's point by saying, "As the court well knows, there was a pending matter in the district court for a period of about four or five months, during which the defense attorney had no problem communicating with Ms. Makosky. Further, she has pending matters where she's considered to be a guardian in probate court.”
According to Wickman, the matters in probate court in which she was considered a guardian were not related to her directly.
Makosky's charges stem from a Feb. 4 incident when the MSP Gladstone Post executed a search warrant at a County Road 426 property in Cornell Township after investigating an animal neglect complaint the day prior.
Troopers found several deceased animals — including cats, rabbits, pigs and goats — and others in a malnourished and unhealthy condition. According to the Delta Animal Shelter, 13 cats, 12 rabbits and one sheep were seized.
The Delta Animal Shelter (DAS) transported the seized animals to its facility in Escanaba, where they have remained under a police hold.
Since their arrival, two cats have given birth to litters of kittens -- one litter of six and another of four -- and one rabbit has given birth to two kits.
The sheep was initially brought to the shelter before being placed in a foster home better suited to its needs.
Much of the community has demanded action regarding the animals, calling for those occupying the residence to face criminal charges.
Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman told the Daily Press on Thursday, "As any criminal charge are merely an allegation, and therefore, a defendant or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office cannot provide further information until such time any arraignments are completed. Further information will be provided at that time.”
In February, Vonnie Bruce, shelter operations coordinator for DAS, noted this was not the shelter’s first interaction with the residence, as staff had previously seized a horse from the property over the summer in 2025.
Makosky will appear in court for a preliminary exam on July 30.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.