Senator’s son to seek new civil trial against Joe Arpaio

PHOENIX — Sen. Jeff Flake’s son will seek a new civil trial against then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio for bringing a now-dismissed criminal case against him in the heat-exhaustion deaths of 21 dogs.

Austin Flake lost a lawsuit against Arpaio at a trial in December.

His attorney, Stephen Montoya, says he’ll seek another trial because authorities didn’t turn over evidence before trial that would have swayed jurors in his client’s favour.

The lawsuit stems from charges filed in the 2014 dog deaths at a metro-Phoenix kennel operated by Flake’s in-laws.

The dogs died when the kennel’s air conditioner failed.

Montoya says a graph created by authorities that accurately showed electrical usage dropping inside the kennel wasn’t turned over before trial.

Arpaio is seeking the Senate seat held by Jeff Flake, who isn’t seeking re-election.