Xavier Strickland was walking with his mother in Detroit when they were attacked by dogs. (File Photo)
Highlights
- The boy was walking with his mom when attacked by 4 dogs last December
- The owner of the dogs has been charged with second-degree murder
- Lawyers for the owner say it was an awful accident, not a crime
Jurors have watched a video of a 4-year-old Detroit boy being mauled to death by pit bulls.
Prosecutors played the video Thursday on the first day of trial for the owner, Geneke Lyons, who is charged with second-degree murder and other crimes. Some jurors cried after watching what happened outside a house last December.
Xavier Strickland was walking with his mother in Detroit when they were attacked by dogs. Police had to shoot the dogs to free the boy's body. Three animals were killed; a fourth was euthanized.
When she filed charges, prosecutor Kym Worthy called the attack a "harrowing example of irresponsible pet ownership."
Defence attorney Francisco Villarruel told jurors it was an awful accident, not a crime.