BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A setback Tuesday for prosecutors in the case of Phoenix, the dog burned alive in Baltimore.
Adam May reports how the “stop snitching” culture surfaced in the courtroom.
Prosecutors continue calling witnesses. One, who initially identified the suspects, has told the jury he lied to police, but he also admitted in court he’s living with one of the suspects.
In May 2009, a Baltimore City police officer found Phoenix, a dog doused in gasoline and burning alive. After her death, Phoenix became a poster-dog for animal rights.
Now in court, twin brothers Travis and Tremaine Johnson face felony charges.
“The state’s attorney has been very diligent in handling this case,” said Anne Gearhart, The Snyder Foundation.
Animal rights activists are hopeful for a conviction. Prosecutors’ best evidence is surveillance video that police claim shows both suspects running from the burning dog.
A police officer also took the stand and told the jury about another witness who identified both suspects in a photo lineup. That witness admitted she only came forward for the reward money.
Another witness, a friend of the suspects, has now recanted his original interview with police.
“When it becomes a city-wide issue and people report it, then we’ll have progress,” Gearhart said.
Defense attorneys continue pointing out there is very little forensic evidence in this case. Testimony continues Wednesday.
WJZ will stay on top of this case and bring you the verdict as soon as it’s announced.
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33 Comments
Pingback: Tweets that mention Animal Abuse Trial Affected By “Stop Snitching” Culture « CBS Baltimore -- Topsy.com
Fry them both, for what they did…Ill light the match on them pieces of ——.
February 2, 2011 at 9:43 am | | Report comment
J Kirsch,
I’ll buy the gasoline you just have to dump and strike the match on them, they’re such jerks!!!!!!!!
March 3, 2011 at 5:03 pm | | Report comment
typical.
February 2, 2011 at 11:01 am | | Report comment
Funny thing is…the people who subscribe to the “Stop Snitchin” mentality are also the ones who want a fair trial when their time comes. I’d say someone needs to enact some vigilance in this case and when those two boys get off, tie them to their beds and set their house on fire…see how they like it when people “live by the street” in terms of justice vs. snitching.
February 2, 2011 at 12:01 pm | | Report comment
well said my friend!
April 29, 2011 at 8:36 pm | | Report comment
J KIRSCH, I will buy the MATCHES !
February 2, 2011 at 12:03 pm | | Report comment
It’s NOT “culture”, it’s COWARDICE!
DON’T mistake one for the other!!!
February 2, 2011 at 12:05 pm | | Report comment
i agree! what a bunch of wusses!
February 2, 2011 at 12:12 pm | | Report comment
This makes me so angry. What is wrong with people today. We live in a time where people do as they feel and take no responsibility. It is every citizens duty to stand up now and raise a new generation of people who do care. That will take responsibility. Model these actions now to someone young.
February 2, 2011 at 12:08 pm | | Report comment
If these two boys get away with it so will every other pyscho that hates animals and has too much time on there hands…If there is no punishment in this case it will just set an example for every other kid that can get thier hands on gasoline and a match…lets what else we can burn today…why cant we go back to the times of an eye for an eye and douse them with gasoline and lite them on fire and see how they enjoy it!
February 2, 2011 at 12:13 pm | | Report comment
I agree; they deserve the same treatment of what they did to that poor animal. And of course there are no parents to be found, big shock.
February 2, 2011 at 12:15 pm | | Report comment
Just gos to show that most people are to scared to do the right thing …. it does not matter if it is a human or an animal. to all the people that are scared suck it up and do the right thing protect the animals …. because you know what sooner or later you are going to die weather it be by someone or something …. and if that is the case then make sure you did the right thing before you leave this earth … we have in-crouched on the animals not the other way around….
February 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm | | Report comment
Baltimore is a socialpath factory!
February 2, 2011 at 12:35 pm | | Report comment
The word you’re looking for is “sociopath”
February 2, 2011 at 1:03 pm | | Report comment
I’m mad at the lady that only came forward for the reward money. I’m sure the police put on the reward flyer: “Any tips that lead to an arrest AND conviction in court” will receive the reward money.
February 2, 2011 at 1:04 pm | | Report comment
Travers Johnson Record, including this recent incident:
http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquirySearch.jis
And they should let them go because….??
February 2, 2011 at 1:58 pm | | Report comment
Here we go again! the childern of today where is the parents of these childern committing crimes and killing!, animals and people! now they are going to upgrade to killing people watch these two as they get older remember there names im know i,m! there next killing will be HUMAN! mark my word! infact i know the some of the stupid family! No education drug addicts and some other stuff!
February 2, 2011 at 2:40 pm | | Report comment
Now thats a good ideal lets say the the police get all people who is wanted and who they are looking for with reward money! how cases will be solved !ALOT! the comstat system works for the police officer whos doing there jobs and we the people need to help they to have a peicefull life to live! instead of being affraid because the people who claims there are scared money talks bull—sh walks!
February 2, 2011 at 2:43 pm | | Report comment
if we start treating people that do that kind of stuff to animals same way things would stop. they set a dog on fire we should do it to them. thats how serial killers start.we start doin that, crimes will go down. but no that would be cruel and unusually but the people that say that wait till that happens to someone or something they love.
February 2, 2011 at 2:48 pm | | Report comment
good piont darryl u right thats how serial starts ru right! right on buddy!
February 2, 2011 at 2:54 pm | | Report comment
WOW you need to see this guys record he already got a att first degree murder charge on him thats crazy he livea where i was born and raised sand town colhound st and presbury st gilmore st mount st filton north ave penn north, this area is the worst i.ve every seen in my 50 yrs of living everyboby in that community is on drugs 90% of them and the childern are drug dealers it sadd! it really is back in the day it was not like that!
February 2, 2011 at 2:51 pm | | Report comment
“Stop Snitching” culture? HA! Translation = Don’t dare rat me out for the terrible things I’ve done, because I’ll retaliate and hurt you, but the minute someone does something terrible to me, well then lets yell and scream and protest and expect someone to do something about it!
February 2, 2011 at 3:14 pm | | Report comment
um, yea
February 2, 2011 at 4:13 pm | | Report comment
Go figure this trash will get off with a slap. The city comes through again with ghetto rat witnesses who have nothing in mind but getting their criminal trash friends set free. We’ll be paying for this inhumane garbage for years to come when they kill somebody, we’ll pay for their 3 hots and a cot in jail.
February 2, 2011 at 5:04 pm | | Report comment
throw the black POS in jail and let them die there its amazing how all the black ppl get on here and say its because there black or they didnt do it its no shock that there crimal freinds would lie so they can get off and the women who came forward just for the reward money prolly black
February 2, 2011 at 5:44 pm | | Report comment
im sorry for saying that animal abuse just bothers the hell out of me and makes me sick to my stomach i dont know what i was thinking im just wish animaL abuse laws would be tougher and people would stop getting off with justa fine or no fine or jail time they need to serve longer then just 3 years in jail how about 6 or 7 sorry if i offerended anybody SORRY
February 2, 2011 at 5:47 pm | | Report comment
Those boys better pray they get jail time because they will be dealt some hefty street justice if they get off. And deservedly so. I say, light ‘em both on fire and run from them the same way they did that defenseless dog. If they do get off, it will be someone’s kid next that they do something like this to. Remember that, folks who won’t snitch, it could be your little brother or sister these punks light ablaze. Hope you all sleep well tonight.
February 2, 2011 at 7:06 pm | | Report comment
Just some porch monkeys idea of fun.
February 2, 2011 at 10:09 pm | | Report comment
Look at these prior charges! what a degenerate!
Charge No: 1
CJIS/Traffic Code: 2 0910
Description: ATT 1ST DEG. MURDER
Charge No: 2
CJIS/Traffic Code: 1 1420
Description: ASSAULT-FIRST DEGREE
Charge No: 3
CJIS/Traffic Code: 1 1415
Description: ASSAULT-SEC DEGREE
Charge No: 4
CJIS/Traffic Code: 1 1425
Description: RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT
Charge No: 5
CJIS/Traffic Code: 1 5212
Description: HANDGUN ON PERSON: CARRY/WEAR
Charge No: 6
CJIS/Traffic Code: 1 5299
Description: HANDGUN: USE IN COMMITTING CRIME
February 3, 2011 at 8:47 am | | Report comment
JOHNSON, TRAVERS
DOB:02/05/1992
1721 N CALHOUN ST
BALTIMORE MD 21217
——————————————————————–
JOHNSON, TREMAYNE
DOB:02/05/1992
17 SOUTH PULASKI ST
BALTIMORE MD 21223
February 3, 2011 at 8:55 am | | Report comment
Pingback: Tweets that mention Animal Abuse Trial Affected By ‘Stop Snitching’ Culture « CBS Baltimore -- Topsy.com
You these two boys probably did this because the poor puppy is weaker and can’t fight back, making those two morons more superior, when really they’re wusses, if you want to pick on someone pick on someone your own size!!!!!
March 3, 2011 at 5:01 pm | | Report comment