Phoenix case update: Twins to be tried as adults
The 17-year-old twins accused of setting fire to a pit bull puppy known as Phoenix will be tried as adults, a judge decided Tuesday.
Judge David Ross ruled that Tremayne and Travers Johnson will face felony animal cruelty charges in Baltimore Circuit Court, allegations that could send the boys to jail for three years, The Sun's Brent Jones reports. Attorneys for the twins argued that they were not properly cared for in the juvenile system after they were placed on probation for a handgun violation in October 2008.
The lawyer for Tremayne Johnson added that his client suffers from depression and had not had any problems before he had brain surgery for a tumor four years ago. But a representative of juvenile services said the teen failed to cooperate with some of the department's programs.
Phoenix, a pit bull puppy, was doused with gasoline and set on fire in Southwest Baltimore last May. She was euthanized because of her injuries a few days later. The case sparked citywide and even national indignation about animal cruelty.
Comments
Good for the Judge. There is evil in the world and these two twins reek of it.
Posted by: Patty | November 4, 2009 9:39 AM
Thank God!
Posted by: Jaime | November 4, 2009 9:42 AM
Perhaps poor Phoenix will not have suffered and died in vain if her case becomes the new precendent for stiffer punishments for the crime of animal abuse.
The disconnect, the cold hearts that must reside in these twins still sends chills down my spine.
To the Court System: As someone at the Anti-Animal Abuse Taskforce meeting said: "America is watching."
Posted by: Anna | November 4, 2009 1:11 PM
A small step in a positive direction. I was in the courtroom yesterday but was not able to stay the entire time. I can't tell you how pleased I am to find they are being tried as adults. For a dog that I never met, Phoenix is very close to my heart. I can be doing something totally random and then a picture of her pops into my head and I burst out crying. Talk to your friends, co-workers, the people at the check-out stand, anyone that will listen. Keep Phoenix alive in everyone's heart. If they are moved by her story, ask them to reach out to their local representatives. It can make a difference!!
Posted by: JeanneG | November 4, 2009 1:11 PM
To the twins attorney, it didn't do any harm to them that they were not treated fairly by the juvenile system because after they killed Phoenix in May they went back out in June of 2009 with loaded handgun and drug charges. I guess they didn't learn. How many times do they have to get locked up before they learn?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 5, 2009 5:58 PM
they are repeat offenders, they will kill again, they need euthed, isn't that what we do with sick and beyond all hope animals?
Posted by: sheila | November 5, 2009 8:00 PM
This is great news these teen criminals need to be made an example of, I hope they receive the highest punishment they can get and set the bar there for anyone following their actions. Animal abusers are disgusting at any age, and they turn into murderers of people too. They have no remorse and no soul, they a probably are only sorry they got caught.
Posted by: Miss M | November 21, 2009 1:21 PM