Case Snapshot
Case ID: 1
Classification: Beating, Burning - Fire or Fireworks
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Wednesday, Oct 1, 1997

County: Rankin

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Luke Woodham

Woodham, age 16, tortured and set fire to and killed his dog, Sparkle. He was quoted as saying to the police "I made my first kill, we sprayed fluid down her throat, her neck caught on fire inside and out. It was true beauty."

Woodham, stabbed his mother to death in her bed then went on to school the same day to open fire on his classmates, killing two teenage girls and injuring 7 others.

In his personal journal, Woodham recorded how he beat, burned and tortured his dog Sparkle, describing the inhumane death as a thing of "true beauty".

In June 1998, Woodham was found guilty for 3 murders and seven counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 3 life sentences and an additional 20 years for each assault charge.

References

  • Dateline NBC
  • The Doris Day Animal League
  • CNN


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