Sep 23, 2007 9:27 pm US/Central
Mother Claims Dallas Man Did Not Torture, Kill Dog
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
The trial for the man accused of stabbing and burning his dog last year begins Monday.
Now, De'Shawn Brown's mother is proclaiming her son's innocence. Sandra Brown said she has never had a chance to tell her side of the story.
"He would never hurt a dog," said Sandra about her 22-year-old son. "Public opinion is that he did this, without hearing the facts. And to me, that is an injustice not just for my son, but for anybody that is facing any type of situation in court."
Sunday, Brown's family held a prayer vigil for him at Concord Baptist Church in Dallas.
De'Shawn is charged with felony cruelty to animals.
Two men discovered the pit bull huddled in the bushes in April of 2006 and took her to Operation Kindness. Rescuers named the tortured pit bull Mercy.
Prosecutors say she had been stabbed, doused with gasoline and set on fire. She died 10 days later.
"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in our justice system," said Jonnie England with Operation Kindness. "From what evidence I've seen and heard throughout the last 17 months, I think that the state has as strong case."
"He loved that dog. He loves all of his dogs," said Sandra. "He still has his dog from when he was a small child."
Both sides say they are fighting for justice.
"It is personal for me and many of us here," said England. "She's become a symbol for animal cruelty, I think, and victims of animal cruelty."
If convicted, Brown could face up to ten years in prison.
But Sandra said she's confident her son will be set free. "He's going to be okay, and he will come home," she said.
England is confident of the legacy that Mercy left behind. "She's not going to be forgotten," she said.
Jury selection for the trail starts tomorrow.
(CBS 11 News)
