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Case ID: 8126

Classification: Burning - Fire or Fireworks, Stabbing, Vehicular

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Pit bull doused with gasoline, set on fire
Dallas, TX (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Apr 14, 2006
County: Dallas

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 8 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Deshawn Quatrail Brown

Case Updates: 18 update(s) available

A young pit bull is recovering from animal abuse, which included being dragged, stabbed and doused with chemicals.

The dog was found bleeding and terrified near an apartment complex at Preston Road and Belt Line Road by two young men. The pair dropped off the shaking and terrified dog at the Operation Kindess shelter.

Authorities did not reveal the name of the apartment complex for fear of compromising their case.

Officials at the shelter named the dog Mercy and are crediting the two young men with saving the dog's life.

"It was horrifying," said Jonnie England with Operation Kindness. "One side looks like she'd been drug behind a car. The other side looks like multiple stab wounds."

Investigators are just beginning to look into the abuse but are hoping a person who they know witnessed the abuse will help them out.

This is "one of the worst cases of apparent abuse that we have seen," said England. "The vet thought that she had suffered chemical burns on her body and inside her ears," said England.

Mercy is now in stable condition, but not in the clear.

"The entire top layer of skin is just gone in so many places that the concern is infection setting into those wounds," England said.

The Dallas Police Deparment may soon become involved in investigating the case, which could take several weeks.

Case Updates

A 22-year-old Dallas man who tortured his dog by setting her on fire was sentenced Friday night to four years in prison for animal cruelty.

Deshawn Brown stabbed his dog, poured an accelerant on her stomach and set her on fire in April 2006. Prosecutors say he was mad because she wouldn't mate.

Prosecutor David Alex had asked jurors to give Mr. Brown the maximum sentence � 10 years � one year for each day she suffered before dying, he said.

Defense attorneys Dan Wyde and Lee Westmoreland told jurors that Mr. Brown deserved probation, not prison. Mr. Wyde asked jurors to serve justice when determining the sentence, not revenge.

"I'm not asking you for mercy. I'm asking you for justice," he said during closing arguments.

Jonnie England, executive director of Operation Kindness, the shelter that cared for the pit bull mix they named Mercy, called the jury's sentence "insignificant."

"We're extremely disappointed," she said. "It's not enough, and it's not about revenge. It's about justice."

Mr. Alex said after the verdict that he was not upset.

"I've always respected the jury's decision in every case I've tried. ... The jury thought four years was the right thing to do," Mr. Alex said.

Mr. Wyde said outside the courtroom that he believed his client was not guilty. He called the case a "special-interest prosecution."

"Those animal rights groups did a good job of twisting arms," he said. The groups used the Mercy case to raise money for their cause, he said.

Mr. Brown's fianc�e, Megan Byrne, who said she was once a drug dealer, testified during Friday's sentencing phase that the couple planned to start over in Phoenix if he was given probation.

She said she had made mistakes in the past and she had learned from them. Mr. Brown, she said, could, too.

Source: Dallas News - Sept 29, 2007
Update posted on Oct 1, 2007 - 12:46PM

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Court contact information for this case is as follows:

Courthouse:
Dallas County
Criminal District Court No. 7
133 North Industrial Crowley Centre
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: 972-739-3905
Fax: 972-739-3917

Court Dates: Jury selection 9/25/07, Trial 9/26/07
Case # FO686776

Prosecutor:
The Honorable David Alex
Dallas County District Attorney
133 North Industrial Crowley Centre
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: 214-653-3600
Fax: 214-653-3868

Judge:
The Honorable Michael Snipes
Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 7
133 North Industrial Crowley Centre
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: 972-739-3905
Fax: 972-739-3917

Source: Case # FO686776
Update posted on Sep 26, 2007 - 12:34AM

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Testimony is expected to begin Tuesday in an animal cruelty case that has captured the attention of many North Texans.

DeShawn Brown, 22, faces animal abuse charges in the death of a pit named Mercy.

Brown is accused of beating, burning and stabbing the pit bull in April 2006 because she refused to mate.

Mercy died 10 days after being brought to the rescue group Operation Kindness in Carrollton.

"I feel like the media has given this story so much publicity that I'm concerned about him being able to get a fair trial," the defendant's mother, Sandra Brown, said.

"I understand they're looking for justice and so are we, and we want justice for Mercy," Jonnie England of Operation Kindness said.

Brown said he is innocent. If convicted, he could receive up to 10 years in prison.

Jury selection began Monday and opening arguments were scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The judge is hopeful that the case will be wrapped up by Thursday, NBC 5 reported.

COURTROOM UPDATE:
Mercy Courtroom Blog: Tuesday 10:30 a.m. Update
Nigel Wheeler, NBC 5 Reporter

Opening statements started this morning in the case of DeShawn brown. Brown is charged with stabbing and torturing a pit bull puppy named Mercy then setting her on fire. Mercy died from her injuries.

The prosecution asserts that Brown tortured and stabbed Mercy after she refused to mate.

Defense lawyers for Brown say he didn't do it. They claim that Brown loves his pets and would never inflict pain on any animal.

The prosecution's first witness is William Cantu. He lives in the apartment complex where Mercy was found stabbed and burned. He testified that he saw Mercy on fire, running through the apartment complex. He describes the sound that she was making as horrible.

Mr. Cantu will likely be on the stand until noon.

Source: NBC5 - Sept 25, 2007
Update posted on Sep 25, 2007 - 3:07PM

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DeShawn Brown was reportedly returned to jail on August 21 after the scheduled hearing. Judge Michael Snipes ruled that Brown's bond was insufficient following the issuance of an active arrest warrant out of Flint, Michigan. The Michigan judge said that Brown had violated the terms of his probation on a felony charge in Flint by failing to keep in touch with his Texas probation officer.

A final pretrial hearing is set for September 20, at 9:00 a.m., and the trial is scheduled to begin Monday, September 24. Both will take place in Criminal District Court No. 7 on the 7th floor of the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Industrial in Dallas.

Source: Operation Kindness - Aug 21, 2007
Update posted on Aug 22, 2007 - 3:20PM

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The next pretrial hearing for Deshawn Brown has been set for Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

This hearing, as well as the trial date currently set for September 24, will take place in Criminal District Court No. 7 on the 7th Floor of the Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas.

Source: Operation Kindness
Update posted on Aug 16, 2007 - 11:47PM

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DeShawn Brown turned down on Monday a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for eight years. Brown was in court for a hearing over Mercy's death. The new trial date of Sept. 24 has been set.

Source: NBC 5 - July 16, 2007
Update posted on Jul 16, 2007 - 8:26PM

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Mercy's case has a new judge and a new trial date of Sept. 24. The pretrial motion hearing is still set for Monday, July 16, but the time has been changed to 12 noon.

The case was transferred this week to Judge Michael R. Snipes in Criminal District Court No. 7. In a special hearing called for Friday afternoon, no reason was given for the change in judges.

DeShawn Brown, who is charged with third-degree felony animal abuse in the case, did not appear at Friday's hearing. His attorney, Dan Wyde, said that he had not had enough time to notify Brown. Judge Snipes ordered Brown to appear at the Monday hearing and at all other hearings and said that he would have an arrest warrant issued if Brown failed to appear at any future hearing.

Judge Snipes asked the prosecution and defense if they were ready to proceed with the trial on Aug. 6. Assistant District Attorney David Alex said that the State was ready to proceed. Wyde, however, said that he needed more time to prepare his case, and Judge Snipes rescheduled the trial for Sept. 24.

Wyde also told the judge he had not received personal contact information from the DA's office for several of the prosecution's witnesses. ADA Alex told the judge that he had not provided that information at thee request of the witnesses because they feared for their safety. Judge Snipes rules that the State did not have to turn over personal identifying information of witnesses to the defense.

At Monday's hearing, the judge is expected to rule on a Motion to Quash filed by Operation Kindness. The defense subpoenaed Operation Kindness to turn over "all records of any financial donations made" to the shelter "due to the injury of a dog named Mercy." Operation Kindness filed the Motion to Quash because it regards the personal information of its donors as private as well as irrelevant and immaterial to the case.

The hearing on Monday, July 16, will take place at 12 noon in Criminal District Court No. 7 in the Frank Crowley Courts Building on Industrial Blvd. at Commerce St. in Dallas.

Update posted on Jul 16, 2007 - 7:01AM

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DeShawn Brown's trial is set for August 6. Brown has been in the courtroom for two pre-trial motion hearings this month, and Jonnie England, Executive Director of Operation Kindness, was subpoenaed by the defense for the last one this past Thursday.

The prosecutor, Mr. David Alex, has requested a bond hearing for Brown on Monday, July 2, where he is going to ask that Brown's bond be revoked.

If you are available and would like to show support for Mercy,please try to attend:

Frank Crowley Courts Building
Criminal District
Court No. 6
6th Floor
133 N. Industrial (at Commerce)
Dallas, Texas

The most convenient parking is in the garage adjacent to the Crowley building.

There's another garage on the other side of Industrial, and a parking lot across Commerce.

Court generally starts at 9 a.m, and even though this doesn't mean Brown's case will be heard first, you should plan to be there by 9 a.m.

A few things to know before entering the courthouse and the courtroom:

* No cameras or nail clippers are allowed in the building (you'll have to take them back to your car or leave them; they won't be returned).

* No photos can be taken with cell phones in the courtroom (phones will be confiscated).

* No clothing with a message (so no Mercy T-shirts) allowed in the courtroom.

* Attire is to be neat and professional, no flip-flops, shorts, cutoffs, etc.

The courtroom is very small. There are only 10 rows available to the public; each will seat 8-10 people. There's no standing room; everyone must be seated. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Update posted on Jun 25, 2007 - 5:05PM

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The trial of a Dallas man charged with a third-degree felony in an animal cruelty case last April has been postponed until Aug. 6.

DeShann Brown's trial was scheduled to start Monday, the one-year anniversary of the death of Mercy, a pit bull puppy that had been doused with gasoline and set on fire last year.

Mercy was found huddled in some bushes behind a North Dallas Apartment complex on April 14, 2006. The two men who discovered the dog that day took her to Operation Kindness, a no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton.

The 10-month-old puppy was immediately taken to a veterinarian for treatment but died 10 days later. The veterinarians who tried to save her life determined that the young dog had been doused with gasoline and set on fire.

DeShann Brown, who lived at the complex at Preston and Beltline, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty and use of a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Brown was released on a $250 cash bond and remains out on bail.

Trista Allen, public information officer for the Dallas District Attorney's office, said Brown's attorney requested a continuance in the case, moving the trial start date to August. Mercy's case attracted attention across the United States and in many foreign countries. More than 18,000 people signed an online petition started by a Florida woman urging the strongest punishment possible for her abuser. English singer-songwriter Maria Daines wrote and recorded a song for Mercy that has been posted on numerous internet websites and blogs. An estimated 1,500 people attended a memorial service for the dog.

"We're very disappointed by this delay," Operation Kindness executive director Jonnie England said. "It's been exactly one year since Mercy was tortured and died, and we were so anxious for this trial to get underway on Monday. Now we'll have to wait even longer before we will, hopefully, see justice served."

England said she has been contacted by hundreds of people, some from as far away as Houston, who were planning to attend the trial and be on hand to show their support for Mercy. England herself has been called in the case.

Brown is scheduled to make an appearance in open court at a pretrial hearing on June 8. His case is being tried in Criminal District Court No. 6 before Judge Jeanine Howard.

Bryan Mead with Toothacres Pet Care Center places Mercy's ashes into the ground during last year's memorial service for the abused dog. An estimated crowd of 1,500 mourners attended the service at Operation Kindness.

Source: Carrollton Leader - April 26, 2007
Update posted on Apr 27, 2007 - 3:00AM

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Brown is scheduled for trial on April 23, 2007 - the one year anniversary of Mercy's death.

Update posted on Nov 9, 2006 - 5:22PM

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Docket # F-0686776
Court: October 26, 2006

Contact - Bill Hill, Dallas County District Attorney
Frank Crowley Courts Building
133 N. Industrial Blvd. LB19
Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: 214.653.3600
Fax: 214.653.5774

Update posted on Oct 15, 2006 - 9:05PM

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The Dallas County Grand Jury today indicted Deshann Quatrail Brown of a 3rd-degree felony for killing Mercy.

The 3rd-degree felony indictment is for Cruelty to Animals With the Finding of a Deadly Weapon, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. Brown was originally charged with a State Jail Felony, which carries a maximum of 2 years in prison.

Update posted on Aug 3, 2006 - 6:08PM

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Music artist Maria Daines was so moved by Mercy's story that she wrote a song dedicated to Mercy's memory and the tragedy that she endured. To listen to the song and read the lyrics, click here.

Update posted on May 23, 2006 - 11:08AM

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Operation Kindness volunteers, staff and community members have some closure in the death of Mercy, a 10-month-old puppy, after a memorial service and an arrest in the case.

The no-kill shelter held a memorial service for Mercy after receiving a large amount of response about her case. Hundreds of people gathered at Operation Kindness to honor the life of Mercy. A memorial service was held and afterward people passed by her spot placing candles and trinkets. "One of our staff members wrote a poem from Mercy to everyone who supported her," said Jonnie England, Operation Kindness executive director.

Source: Coppell Gazette - May 3, 2006
Update posted on May 14, 2006 - 9:21PM

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A Denton County man has given police two different versions of how a 10-month-old puppy was burned over 60 percent of her body:

She bumped against a barbecue grill, he told police. Later, he said two men burned her because he owed them money.

Deshann Brown, 21, was arrested shortly after midnight in Corinth, a community in Denton County, and charged with animal cruelty, said Senior Cpl. Jamie Kimbrough, Dallas police spokeswoman.

The 10-month-old puppy, named Mercy, died Sunday despite efforts to save her from extensive injuries. She had been cut, stabbed, doused with gasoline and set afire, police said.

On April 13, witnesses saw Mercy, ablaze, running through the parking lot of a north Dallas apartment complex. The witnesses extinguished the flames by dousing her with beer, police reports said.

The witnesses told police that the dog belonged to Brown, who was questioned a short time later.

He told police "he was attempting to grill on his patio when his dog, 'Brandy' - a pit bull mix - accidentally bumped (the) grill and ignited herself," the reports stated.

In succeeding days, however, witnesses told a much different story to police and animal control officers.

A woman said Brown wanted his dog to mate with hers, but that his dog "would not cooperate." She told Brown to remove his dog and he became angry and repeatedly kicked his dog as they were leaving, the reports said.

The woman followed Brown "at a distance and next observed his dog to have cuts (and) stab wounds."

Another man said saw Brown's dog on fire and running through the parking lot; he later saw Brown carrying a gas can, the reports said.

The dog had burns over 60 percent of her body, and she was turned over to Operation Kindness, a non-profit shelter in Carrollton that tries to find homes for abandoned or abused animals.

Officials interviewed Brown again April 17, and he told them that he lied to them about the grilling incident four days earlier.

Brown then told them that "he owed money to two guys for an Xbox and they had retaliated by burning his dog," the reports said.

Witnesses called the media, accusing Brown of being a torturous thug and complaining that he wasn't swiftly arrested.

Kimbrough said police were working with animal control officers to develop the case against Brown.

She said undercover officers from the North Central Deployment Division obtained a warrant for Brown's arrest and set up surveillance on several North Texas locations he was known to visit.

Included was his mother's home in Corinth. The officers saw him driving from there shortly after midnight Thursday, and they followed him, Kimbrough said.

Patrol officers from the Corinth Police Department stopped Brown for a traffic violation and turned him over to the undercover officers, Kimbrough said.

He was subsequently placed in the Lew Sterrett Justice Center and charged with animal cruelty, a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to two years in jail, plus possible fines up to $10,000. Bail is $50,000, Kimbrough said.

Source: Star-Telegram - April 27, 2006
Update posted on Apr 27, 2006 - 11:05AM

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A man police believe is responsible for dousing a 10-month-old pit bull named Mercy with gasoline then setting it on fire was arrested early Thursday morning.

According to police, Deshawn Brown, 21, was visiting a relative in Corinth Wednesday night when police received a tip about his whereabouts.

Brown was arrested after a traffic stop when he left the house, officials said.

He will be charged with cruelty to an animal, which includes cutting, stabbing and burning the dog on April 13.

A memorial is planned for the tortured pup at 10 a.m. Saturday at Operation Kindness, the Carrollton animal shelter that took in the puppy after she was rescued.

The dog died Sunday at a veterinary clinic where she received treatment for the stab wounds and burns that covered 60 percent of her body.

Source: CBS News - April 27, 2006
Update posted on Apr 27, 2006 - 10:43AM

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Mercy died Sunday evening about 9:30 p.m. at the veterinary clinic where she was being treated. Doctors said Mercy showed some improvement Saturday, but her condition started to deteriorate Sunday afternoon. She was given a plasma transfusion, but shortly afterward her heart--weakened by burns over 60% over her body--stopped beating. The young pit-bull mix was rescued Friday, April 14, by a Dallas man who saw her in the wooded area behind apartments in Far North Dallas.

The case is being investigated by Dallas Animal Services' Cruelty Division and the Dallas Police Department.

Anyone with information should call 3-1-1 or Dallas Animal Services at 214-671-0246.

Source: Operation Kindness
Update posted on Apr 24, 2006 - 6:37PM

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Mercy, the name given the dog by Operation Kindness volunteers, was discovered by a Dallas man as she was huddled in a wooded area behind an apartment complex near Belt Line and Preston in North Dallas. The dog had been badly injured and was bleeding.
Veterinarians determined Mercy had been doused with gasoline and then lit on fire.

After receiving tips from residents in the area where Mercy was found the case was turned over to Dallas Animal Services' cruelty investigators. Now the cruelty investigators will begin talking with the residents to determine what happened to the dog. "When we interview we will find out whether torture was involved or not," said Dallas Animal Services Manager Kent Robertson. "Once we gather the facts and determine the credibilty we can possible turn it over to a district attorney." If it is determined that torture was involved the person or persons responsible can face state jail time for a length determined by a state judge, Robertson said. If torture was not involved the crime would be a misdeameanor with up to a year of jail time and a fine up to $1,000, he said.

"We hope that anyone with information that might be pertinent will come forward and help us find some justice for Mercy," England said. To get Mercy through the holiday weekend she was taken to a nearby veterinarian who treated her multiple wounds, kept her on pain medication, IV fluids and antibiotics. For more intensive treatment Mercy was taken to a surgical specialist on April 17, 2006.
When volunteers and the veterinarian first saw Mercy they thought she had chemical burns and had been stabbed. "We're committed to finding the person who tortured and tried to kill this gentle and sweet-natured young dog," England said. On April 18, 2006, Mercy had to undergo surgery to remove the ends of her ears, which had some of the worst damage. Although Mercy has already been through a lot she still has to go through a long, painful debridement process, England said. During this time veterinarians will scrape away dead skin in order for new skin underneath to grow. This time is important for the dog as the risk of infection is great, England said. The recovery period should be about two or three months as long as there are no complications.

Anyone with information regarding Mercy's case should call 311 in Dallas or Operation Kindness at 972-418-PAWS. A fund has been established to help pa for Mercy's treatment and long-term care. Donations can be sent to Operation Kindness, Attn: For Mercy's Sake, 3201 Earhart Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006. Secure online donations can be made at www.operationkindness.org.

Source: Carrollton Leader - April 22, 2006
Update posted on Apr 23, 2006 - 8:59PM

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References

- April 25, 2006
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Pit bull doused with gasoline, set on fireDallas, TX (US)

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Pit bull doused with gasoline, set on fire
Dallas, TX (US)