Escaped King Cobra's Owner Wants Jury Trial

The Discovery Channel star whose 8-foot king cobra escaped captivity in early September has entered a not guilty plea on criminal charges related to the incident.

Mike Kennedy, who stars on “Airplane Repo,” entered the plea in the Orange County court system on Tuesday and also waived arraignment.

“The defendant respectfully requests a jury trial on all matters provided by law,” the plea further stated.

The state of Florida contends that Kennedy returned home from a weekend away to discover his snake missing. Rather than report it immediately, Kennedy is accused of taking 24 hours to search for the venomous creature on his own. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission filed a misdemeanor charge against him for that alleged failure to report. The charge also comes with a $366 fine.

News of the king cobra’s escape created panic in Kennedy’s Orlando neighborhood where one school made the decision to cancel outdoor activities for a time. An extensive search for the cobra was launched, but the creature’s whereabouts remains unknown. The active search for the snake was called off in mid-September. Some snake experts believe it’s likely the snake will end up as roadkill.

See Also:

• Deadly 8-Foot King Cobra On the Loose in Florida
• Escaped King Cobra Earns Instagram Fame

• Charges for TV Star Whose Cobra Slithered Away

King cobras are not native to Florida. Considered among the most venomous snakes on the planet, the creatures can reach up to 18 feet in length, according to National Geographic. While their venom isn’t considered the most potent, “the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite – up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce – is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant,” National Geographic’s website states. The carnivores are primarily found in China, India and Southeast Asia.

A trial date has not yet been set in Kennedy’s case, according to Orange County court records.

Photo courtesy of WFTV and Inform video