Landmark Dog Abuse Case Ends In Mistrial

February 8, 2011 5:53 PM

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Supporters of Phoenix the dog will have to wait even longer for justice. She was set on fire and didn’t survive. Now, after a judge declared a mistrial in the case of two teenagers, many wonder what will be next.

Derek Valcourt is following this landmark animal abuse case.

In the trial against twin brothers Travers and Tremayne Johnson, it all came down to just one juror who refused to convict them of felony animal cruelty in the case of Phoenix, the pit bull that died in 2009, just five days after she was doused in fuel and set on fire in West Baltimore.

“We are disappointed in the outcome,” said BARCS Executive Director Jennifer Brause.

At Baltimore’s Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Phoenix’s story has left a lasting legacy for the countless neglected and abused animals, like an emaciated dog brought in recently. In the wake of national attention to Phoenix’s case, then-Mayor Sheila Dixon launched the first animal abuse task force in the country. Now, it’s a permanent commission focused on improving how the city responds to crimes against animals.

“There’s going to be a lot more training for the police department, for law enforcement, for prosecutors, for evidence collection on these kinds of cases,” Brause said.

In Annapolis, the case has spurred lawmakers to consider bills that would toughen animal cruelty punishments. One bill would make it illegal for anyone convicted of animal abuse to ever own a pet again.

That legislation is supported by Baltimore City Councilman Robert Curran, who hopes to draft some tougher city animal cruelty laws because of Phoenix.

“I know the part one crimes in this town — the murders, the rapes, the burglaries, the street assaults — take precedence, but we need to make sure that animal cruelty doesn’t fall by the wayside,” Curran said.

“All of this was because of her and her story was so awful as it is that the case came out the way it came, we do know that she brought about change for us in Baltimore City,” Brause said.

Legal troubles aren’t over for one of the twins accused of burning the dog. Travers Johnson is still in jail, awaiting an attempted murder trial.

Felony animal cruelty in Maryland is punishable by a maximum of three years in prison.

Landmark Dog Abuse Case Ends In Mistrial

donnamartingraduates

Write to Gregg Bernstein! This needs to be retried!! Those sociopaths will only kill again!

Bc Icedog

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO DEMAND A RETRIAL. if there is enough public outcry the States attorney may allow the DA to retry the case.

There has been a great disservice done to the community- stand up against any violent crime no matter who or what the victim may be.

I am disappointed that the prosecutor didn’t call the mistrial when the jurors were dozing off…….TIME FOR A WAKE UP CALL and not just for the jurors! Animal abuse is linked to human violence

thomas

well it is clear that they will kill again…one sits in jail on a murder charge. these pieces of trash need to be lit up to know what it feels like.

Lois

We are in a budget crunch. Give me abreak. Property Taxes are sky high and services are being cut. The money from Citizens of Baltimore should be spent more wisely. More attention was paid to this case than the case of the teen in Park Heights who was beaten by the citizens patrol. Are dogs more important than our children?

Jack

Yep.
urnotfunny

I beg to differ. I heard about that case on tv about 50 times and it’s already gone to trial. The trial for these to ghetto rats took forever. You’re right, this shouldn’t be tried again simply because these two will never get convicted by a predominantly black jury in the city. And yes, that dog is more important than these two criminals who live off the system and kill. I could care less if they rot.
urnotfunny

When they commit another crime, which they will, make sure you get on here and talk about a budget crunch. The one is already in jail on attempted murder charges. How much do you think the taxpayer is paying for that?? You have alot of nerve!
donnamartingraduates

Yup. My dog is more important to me than anyone’s children. Especially those that act like society owes them something, and that they are above the law.
Bc Icedog

you are uninformed about crimes of this nature Miami/Dade cracked down on animal abuse in a pilot project and found that there was a significant reduction in all serious crimes thus saving the taxpayers money and providing a safer environment for citizens. Since then they have created a Animal CSI and instituted animal forensics at Universities. Animal abuse is linked to human violence particularly crimes against women and children. Think about it- if someone harms/kills a pet something serious is going on in that home. Animals are on the frontline of domestic abuse.

J in AACO

donna – how do we go about writing to Gregg Bernstein?
I agree that this should go to trial again. What about all the other evidence, such as finding traces of lighter fluid on their pants and shoes?
My guess is that the one juror was fearful of retaliation from the thugs buddies.

donnamartingraduates

Here’s how to contact Mr. Bernstein.
Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City
208 Mitchell Courthouse
110 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
410-396-4001
http://greggbernstein.org/ctest.html
ron

y to waste more money stupid

Bc Icedog

ron it will save taxpayers money in the long run by preventing other serious crimes – animal abuse is linked to human violence and all crimes in general ( do some research on the subject)

cd

A sad day for animal lovers today! I am not proud to say that I am from Baltimore right now! Thanks to this juror! I hope that you are happy with your decision!!!

It is obvious that these low-lifes have no respect at all for life! I am sure it is only a matter of time before his twin joins him in jail! Hopefully, the jailmates will remind them of their crime everyday! They have to live with this the rest of their lives and hopefully one day the remorse will become to much to bear!!!!

Ken

The lone juror isn’t trying to keep a guilty person out of jail, he or she thinks there might be a reasonable chance that the person isn’t guilty. You, apparently, have decided that they are guilty, which is the opposite of reasonable.
Are we still innocent until proven guilty?

Bryan

Completely agree with you. How many times have we seen men convicted of rape sit and rot in jail, only to be released 20 years later after DNA evidence has proven them innocent?

I do not know if these two did that to the dog or not, but I hope if I was sitting on the jury and truly wasn’t convinced by the evidence that I’d have the conviction to stand up to the other jurors.
ken

you have no idea what happened. I know one of the jurors. There was enough evidence to convict them. The lone juror would not even discuss the case as she was obligated to do. She had an agenda which was evident. 11 out of 12 found them guilty. The lone juror was not a credible juror. Unfortunately , the system is at fault and needs to be changed to avoid irresponsible or tainted jurors such as the one that impeded this case.
Si

Don’t blame the juror. She was a very nice lady who simply had her own logic. It was quite sad that she couldn’t be reasoned with, but she shouldn’t be blamed or judged harshly for that. Hopefully there will be a retrial and the next jury’s work will not go down the drain like the first jury’s work did.

CATHY

I agree,the one guy who got out will do it again,they are a piece of trash,I agree with marine1 on som aspect but I am sure there was more than 1 black on the jury,but these are the ones that are doing the most crime. Also what is the since of haveing a police camera if you cannot see anything,I bet if it was a person that got killed instead of some poor creature they could have seen the tape.IAnd what about the witness who recanted,I they need to be punished to for lying to begin with or were they.And marilyn race has a lot to do with it,look on the news and see who is doing the most crime.it has nothing to to with society but the blacks that think they are above everybody because of there color

LaToya B.

Race has nothing to do with it. I am a hard working BLACK WOMAN.. Everywhere you go there is crime balck and whites… Do the research its from both ends.. Why does everything has to go to race… I thought we were in 2011 not 1940′s

kristen

unfortunately, race has everything to do with it, instead of the real issue…the torture and death of a helpless animal. and yes, they probably will do it again.
Tionie

This is devastating news!! However, regardless of how this case turned out, God will deal with these 2 kids in His own way. You better believe it!
And to the ignorant person above (Marine1), my son is mixed and it makes me SO angry to know that he will have to deal with people like you for the rest of his life. In no way do I agree with what these 2 kids have done (and I do hope they pay for it in the worst way) but being black has absolutely nothing to do with it. EVERY race commit crimes and sin. You need a reality check.
B

It’s really, really sad when an animal mean more to people than a human being. I don’t agree with cruelty to people or animals. Where do these people come from with these RUDE AND IGNORANT COMMENTS?????? LET HE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

chester67

you are an idiot…
marylandbrowngirl

B,

I don’t think that people think animal’s lives are worth more than those of human beings. I think the anger comes from some people neither believing nor understanding that all lives are worth as much as human lives.

CJ

How can ANYONE harm one of God’s innocent creatures in such a barabaric way!? HOW? Once again, it’s a sad day for Baltimore when 2 sub-humans are able to walk away from a crime they so obviously committed. The amount of evidence is staggering but they get off – poor Pheonix. Baltimore had the opportunity to show a compassionate side but, once again, sided with the image it has of being a violent and cold place. So sad.

urnotfunny

You can thank one of person for letting them get away with killing the dog. Probably lives in the same neighborhood.

LN

Nebraska and Maryland are considered the legal chump states wherein corporations and even the White House develop cases which they want to win they feel they would otherwise loose in any other court of the U.S., because Marylanders are normally bias against anyone being sued or brought to court. If this case does not move forward in a guilty finding againt these two persons, not only will the doubt of justice be a statement of the joke of justice in Maryland, it will be the death of the animal abuse laws, particularly in Baltimore City, Maryland. Even in other cases such as the Pikesville, Maryland case, the bias of the Maryland Attorney General is clearly spelled as a discriminatory force in the hands of some elected officials. In Baltimore County, Maryland for example, tenants’ disability and ADA/Civil rights are side stepped by the the present Governor of Maryland, County Executive, MD BLIS, Code Enforcement, County Accounting, and Permits and Development in matters which always favor property owners (landlords). They were notified of 256 Maryland Annotated Codes, Federal Regulations, and Baltimore County Codes and laws which are constantly ignored. Why should anyone think there is any justice when Legal Aide, MDLC and others are legally prevented from intervening on behalf of the public, poor, elderly and disabled, too.
As long as law exist only for the rich, property owners, and those who can buy courts, only those who can afford a select set of high priced lawyers and government officials will prevail in the courts — the “good olde boys”.

mike litoris

I don’t know where you live but MARYLAND shafts every landlord out there every chance they get unless it means that they will condemn the building and throw all the ghetto trash in the street.

It takes 6-12 months to evict a non payer in Md.

mike vick

how long before Obama calls to congratulate the lone juror for giving these losers a second chance?
Tionie

I’ve already spoke my peace on the race issue (for everyone who is racist on here) so ANYWAY-
I personally don’t agree with the whole juror system anyway. How can ONE out of TWELVE people determine whether these 2 get punished or not? I think that person may have some connection or relationship with them. They should be retried to figure that out! I’m sure if a survey was done for the entire state of Maryland, 99% of people would agree that they are guilty! They definitely need to be retried!!!!

Kathie

Personally, this entire business of “all have to agree” is plain BS to me. In anything else it would be majority rules and the 11 would have pushed the vote on the 1 that stood alone. I feel that’s the way it should be in a trail as well. In my opinion it should be retried but in another court, oit of this area where none of the jurors are local. No change at anyone being threatened or intimidated. This may have been the case, who knows. I’ve seen it happen in many abuse cases I work on. Very sad as well as disgusting when they walk, but also reality.

ron

well i already said what i had to say. good looking out juror number 5 for letting these boys loose again lolllll to all the racist people on here kick rocks buddy. blame the legal stystem not the kids. why didnt they make a deal with them like they made with the crazy white lady that killed her kids years ago?
urnotfunny

B – What are you talking about, the case is about an animal, a helpless animal that couldn’t speak. Yes, that animal means more than what you call “human beings”, you know, the trash that killed the dog. How dare YOU get on here and talk about ignorant comments, you are the ignorant one. Take your stone and cast where the sun doesn’t shine!!!!

ron

well buddy they didnt go to jail and for you buddy please stop whinning about it, they got off

fed up

wrong again ron one of the little sob’s is still where he belongs hopefully getting his little puppy a— taking care of and everyone agrees that the other blight on society is not far behind

marylandbrowngirl

This isn’t about race. This is about accountability, respect for all life forms, and knowing right from wrong. This is about rebuilding a society which has forgotten about respect and dignity for all of earth’s vulnerable creatures – human and four legged.

All lives should be equally valued and protected. Children need to be taught to care for anything that breathes. I think it should start as early as possible. Parents should be aware of how their children interact with other children and animals. Most bullies start off with bullying animals and most often the bullying escalates to their fellow man.

I do not feel sorry for these young men at all – they were and are more than old enough to know better. I’ve been watching news footage and I wonder if their family has supported them this much in the past for their other crimes or if they are vocal with their support for this case because it was “just a dog”.

Tionie

I completely agree! This is much worse than killing a human being (adult anyway). Animals and babies are the most defenseless and anyone who hurts either of them, should be punished even more so!

LN

RE: 02-11-2011 Landmark Dog Abuse Case Ends In Mistrial Is not a Fluke
RE: Landmark Dog Abuse Case Ends In Mistrial
Derek Valcourt, February 8, 2011 12:01 PM
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/02/08/landmark-dog-abuse-case-ends-in-mistrial/#comment-25259

LN

Nebraska and Maryland are considered the legal chump states wherein corporations and even the White House develop cases which they want to win they feel they would otherwise loose in any other court of the U.S., because Marylanders are normally bias against anyone being sued or brought to court. If this case does not move forward in a guilty finding againt these two persons, not only will the doubt of justice be a statement of the joke of justice in Maryland, it will be the death of the animal abuse laws, particularly in Baltimore City, Maryland. Even in other cases such as the Pikesville, Maryland case, the bias of the Maryland Attorney General is clearly spelled as a discriminatory force in the hands of some elected officials. In Baltimore County, Maryland for example, tenants’ disability and ADA/Civil rights are side stepped by the the present Governor of Maryland (Martin O’Malley), County Executive, MD BLIS, Code Enforcement, County Accounting, and Permits and Development in matters which always favor property owners (landlords). They were notified of 256 Maryland Annotated Codes, Federal Regulations, and Baltimore County Codes and laws which are constantly ignored. Why should anyone think there is any justice when Legal Aide, MDLC and others are legally prevented from intervening on behalf of the public, poor, elderly and disabled, too.
As long as law exist only for the rich, property owners, and those who can buy courts, only those who can afford a select set of high priced lawyers and government officials will prevail in the courts — the “good olde boys”.
donnamartingraduates

Although people are taking this and making it a race issue, although people are trying to belittle this case by saying “it was just a dog” and “why doesn’t anyone get this upset when a person is killed”…when you step back and really look at this case, if you are a reasonable human being, you will realize that people are outraged about the fact that an INNOCENT, defenseless creature was TORTURED. This was a a cruel, ugly, and heinous act, and it doesn’t matter who or what they inflicted the savage act upon, it’s the fact that they did it…for fun.

Baltimore hears headlines of “man shot at _____”, “woman stabbed in _____”, “body found near_____” every-single-day, we are USED TO IT. Unless you KNOW the victim or are personally affected by the crime, does it EVER surprise you when you hear about another dead person, or another senseless crime here? Honestly? Abusing, torturing an animal is an act that most of us just cannot comprehend, and THAT is why we don’t understand and why we get so upset and feel so strongly. It is unfortunate that time and again race is dragged into it, this crime wasn’t necessarily about race, it COULD HAVE been two white kids, but it wasn’t. However, the problem we have now is that two raging sociopaths are free to do as they please because of ONE ignorant juror, and we need to change that. When Travers gets off his ATTEMPTED MURDER charge, they are free to go around and torture you, your dogs, your kids…if that’s what you want you can continue to sit around feeling sorry for yourself or feeling angry at someone who looks different than you, but what you should be doing is telling Greg Bernstein you demand a retrial, so a message is sent to the rest of this city that it is NOT OKAY, it’s a SERIOUS CRIME, to hurt any living thing, no matter how big or small.

Diane King

donnamartin – you hit the nail on the head as to why everyone is so outraged about this crime. It’s not like those boys lost their temper and lashed out at the dog for misbehaving or something (not that that is OK). No, this was just pure evil — deliberately torturing the poor animal for no reason other than some twisted idea of “fun”. It’s sickening that the jury could not manage to convict them. What a farce.

Kathy

I have a great idea, why don’t we douse both of these boys with gasoline and throw and match on them and run. Let them see what it feels like!!!!!

DogLover17

Yes lets do it!!! LOL

livelifebefree

It is pointless to argue about the race issue. STOP! The issue is about LIFE!
DogLover17

They will have to live with this the rest of their Life! (Boys and Jury)
I cant believe it!

Jack

They wont care.

Cathy

OK!! LOOKS LIKE WE ALL HAVE OUR OPINIONS, RIGHT,WELL INSTEAD OF SLASHING EACH OTHER.LETS ALL WRITE TO THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
HAVE THE CASE RETRIED.,LETS TRY TO HAVE PHOENIX REST IN PIECE/ AND HAVE HIM NOT DIED IN VAIN.
susan

Do not let Phoenix’s death be in vain. The case needs to be retried! Those boys knew what they were doing. Do the same thing to them as they did to her.
OUTRAGED

WELL I FOR ONE FEEL SAFER GOING INTO BALTIMORE KNOWING THE CRIMINALS ARE GETTING LOCKED UP DON’T YOU? IF WE STOPPED DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY MAYBE THE MAYOR AND CO-HORTS WOULD LISTEN TO THE LAW ABIDDING CITIZENS. LOCK THEM UP
ravenmaniac881

I love how the family friend said that they state needs to spend money on other more serious trials. Yeah, mor eserious trials, like the one on Travers for his attempted murder trial. I love when the news interviews someone…….It’s always the biggest idiot that they interview. The Johnson family should be proud to not only have 2 POS family members but a spokesperson willing to say what was said. If I ever get in trouble…please don’t tell me that Tomasina Degree is a friend of my family and please….keep her away from the microphone.

urnotfunny

She even had the nerve to say that the one twin comes to her house and plays with her dog. She better hide that dog or it’ll be used as dog fighting bait. She’s a complete idiot!

Anonymous

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Landmark Dog Abuse Case Ends In Mistrial

February 8, 2011 5:53 PM

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