ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — An Aspen man accused of violating a protection order stemming from an assault at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is being defended by a stuffed animal.

The Aspen Times reports (http://bit.ly/1LayDZF) Charles Abbott sat a fuzzy horned owl on the defense table during his court appearance Tuesday, saying his name was Soloman and that he’d sit in until a public defender was assigned to his case.

Michael Stranahan says he was out of town when Abbott violated the protection order by going to his home to retrieve belongings.

Pitkin County Court Judge Erin Fernandez-Ely ignored the owl during the hearing, and asked Stranahan if he’d be willing to amend the protection order to allow mediation.

Stranahan said no, and the hearing ended with the protection order in place.

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Information from: The Aspen Times, http://www.aspentimes.com/