TYBEE ISLAND (AP) - Two people accused of stealing endangered turtles from the Tybee Island Marine Science Center are getting a short reprieve before their case goes to court.
A Municipal Court judge delayed until July 28 a preliminary hearing for Thomas Stewart II and Desiree Pulse of Hinesville. Both are charged with theft and animal cruelty.
Five diamondback turtles went missing from their display case at Marine Science Center last month. Police found four of the rare turtles buried in the sand under the suspects' beach blanket. The fifth missing turtle wasn't found.
Stewart and Pulse persuaded the judge to delay their hearing Tuesday by telling him they had retained an attorney earlier that day.