VIERA -- The judge presiding over the trial of Christine Abrams again postponed a hearing on whether key evidence in the case will be allowed in court.

Abrams is accused of leaving her dog to die after moving away from her Cocoa home.

The move came shortly after defense attorney Andrew Stine asked the judge to remove herself from the case, saying prosecutors have been communicating with the judge without his knowledge.

Prosecutors said it would not matter who is sitting on the bench.

"I think the case will stand on its merits, and justice will ultimately be done in this case, no matter what happens with the judge," said assistant state attorney Mike Raska.

Animal rights activists continued protesting outside court Wednesday.

The judge agreed to a delay so Stine could put his request in writing.

The hearing has been rescheduled for July 28.

If convicted of the animal cruelty charges, Abrams faces up to one year in prison. 

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