Andrea Rosebrock 
It is with a sad and heavy heart that I remember Phoenix, the poor innocent little pitbull that was doused with gasoline and set on fire in Baltimore in May. Although rescued by a valiant police officer, Phoenix’s burns extended almost over 100% of her body and her poor body just could not recover, she was euthanized shortly thereafter.
It didn’t take long for police to have two suspects in custody; twin 17-year-old brothers, Travis and Jermain Johnson. Their parents maintained that the boys had nothing to do with the heinous crime, they were turned in just for the reward money, but it wasn’t long after they were in trouble again, guns or drugs or something like that.
On November 13, State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced that the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted both Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17, of S. Pulaski Street in a five count indictment charging animal abuse and cruelty.
These two paragons of humanity will be arraigned on December 9 and we’d like to ask the court that felony animal cruelty penalties be levied against them. Their crime was cruel and depraved and Phoenix suffered horribly for no reason other then their kicks and thrills!
Below is an email sample from Kinship Circle along with contact information. Please, I ask that you take the time to draft a letter, your own or one based on the sample and send it to the listed contacts. Phoenix didn’t deserve to suffer but these depraved POSes do!
Contact Information
Honorable David W. Young
227 Courthouse East
111 N. Calvert Street / Baltimore, MD 21202
ph: 410-396-5076, 410-396-5077; fax 410-545-7316
email: David.Young@courts.state.md.us
Honorable Patricia C. Jessamy, Baltimore City State’s Attorney
208 Clarence Mitchell Jr. Courthouse
110 North Calvert Street / Baltimore, Maryland 21202
ph: 410-396-4987; fax: 410-539-5215
email: mail@stattorney.org, info@stattorney.org
Kimberly B. Morton, Esq., Deputy State’s Attorney: kmorton@stattorney.org
Communications, Margaret Burns, Chief: mburns@stattorney.org
Investigations, Cynthia H. Jones, Esq., Deputy State’s Attorney: cjones@stattorney.org
Mayor Sheila Dixon
City Hall, Room 250 100 N. Holliday St. / Baltimore, MD 21202
ph: 410-396-3835; fax 410-576-9425
email: mayor@baltimorecity.gov
Baltimore City Council, Office of the President
City Hall, 100 N. Holliday St., Suite 400 / Baltimore, MD 21202
President, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake: 410-396-4804; fax: 410-539-0647
email: CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov
Sample Letter
Honorable David W. Young, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Office, Mayor
Sheila Dixon and City Council:I have followed the case of Phoenix, a one-year-old pit bull terrier soaked
in gasoline and set afire on May 27, 2009. I understand the Baltimore City
Grand Jury indicted twin brothers Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17, on five
counts of animal abuse and cruelty.I thank the state’s attorney office and court for its serious deliberation
in this heinous crime. Phoenix was euthanized in caring hands after her
kidneys failed. Swollen and charred, her immune system simply couldn’t
handle burns covering 95% of her body.But this case is as much about the twins as it is about Phoenix. These
youths are so desensitized to suffering, they ignored the cries of a living
creature enveloped in flames.I urge you to levy felony animal cruelty penalties that include up to three
years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and mandatory counseling. If the Johnsons
are involved in dogfighting, as suggested by puncture wounds seen on
Phoenix, please punish them under animal fighting laws too. I hope you will
ensure these teens are barred from contact with animals.Juvenile violence is often connected with musings on death and Goth anarchy.
Along with these dark images comes a fascination with victimizing animals.
Indeed, Columbine’s Eric Harris, D.C. serial killer Lee Boyd Malvo, murderer
Kip Kinkle and others “practiced” on animals before graduating to people.Andrew Golden, 11, and Mitchell Johnson, 13, killed dogs in Jonesboro,
Arkansas prior to gunning down four students and one teacher. Mississippi
16-year-old Luke Woodham mortally stabbed his mother, killed three
classmates and shot seven more. Later in court, he confessed to bludgeoning
his dog with baseball bats and setting her on fire.One U.S. study revealed that five of 11 killers involved in nine separate
school rampages had formerly abused animals. In another study, “Childhood
Cruelty Toward Animals Among Criminals and Noncriminals,” 25% of aggressive
criminals confessed to five or more acts of torturing animals.Clearly, the animal-to-human violence link demands your utmost attention. I
reiterate my request that Mayor Dixon and the City Council address violence
at its roots by creating an animal abuse task force with citizen
representation. Please also empower animal control officers under the police
department and advocate prosecution in all animal abuse and fighting cases.Thank you, in advance, for punishing Phoenix’ killers to the fullest degree
allowed by law.Sincerely,
Don’t let Phoenix’s suffering and death have been in vain, don’t let her killers off with a slap on the wrist. We can make a difference if we take just a few minutes of time. Don’t just sit back and think someone else will do it!
Who knows who the victims of these depraved wastes of human life will be next… another innocent dog, a child, another teen… another defenseless innocent? If they get off with little to no punishment, you can bet there will be more victims!
Take action NOW!!
Sometimes it hurts me to remember that I grew up, lived and worked in Baltimore City until just over 10 years ago. It could be a beautiful city in many ways but like most any city, it had and still has, a dark and vicious side, the kind of a side that people who would do something like this must have come from…
I agree they should pay, but I don’t think they should ’suffer’. It’s wrong to return evil for evil. But they need to pay for what they did, yes.
You are right MM , they should not suffer , they should be beaten to death quickly
WTF is with these 2? i just CANNOT fathom anybody, LET ALONE 2 “CHILDREN” can do this kind of horror. THEM mum n dad say they DID NOT!!!
Phoenix…..u’re in a MUCH better place, sweet girl. i KNOW there is a very special place for u, i’m just so sad that u had 2 go thru such horrendous pain n terror. bless u, baby girl…..
Why would anyone even concider these two children? They haven’t been children for a very long time, concidering what they did this time!
And about the suffering, I think if they can dish it out, they should be able to take it. After all didn’t they think that what they did to this poor little thing fun and okay. Well then let er rip!
i so agree, excalibur, that’s why i put the word in quotes….lol….i was being sarcastic. i don’t think these hooligans were even born “children”…..
“Thumbs up dru : )”
I’ll loan you my BIC.
Oh Terry, what can I say ??? I laughed out loud at your comment. and I say no more….
Sad part is I meant it
OMG, Can it get any worst than this. I have to say that I have to cry everytime I hear stories that are horrifying. What is wrong with people seriously. what kinda dope are they smoking or taking. how would they like it done to them. I hope someone teaches them a good lesson in prison and I mean that with all my heart and soul. I have no sympathy for slime and trailer trash.
I dont usually talk like this but it hits me to the core. it really does but gives me a good reality check when i read stories about what the human race is really capable of and we call dogs and cats animals hahah, i have to laugh at that.
Yes, what Ann wrote!!! More evil monsters disguised as humans walking among us!!! I hope they burn in Hell for eternity!!!
I don’t believe anyone mentioned returning evil for evil, but punishment is suppose to be some form of suffering. Otherwise, it would not be called punishment. While we all may be expressing our personal angst and pain and emotional desire to “get even” I am sure there is no one on here who would do what is referred to as evil (although Terry’s “beaten to death quickly” is tempting). I believe all of us would hope for the absolutely harshest charges under the law, air tight convictions and a Judge who sees this as the monstrous and vicious crime that it is and sentences accordingly. I hope all of us will work and act diligently to see that this does happen.
We can help this to happen if everyone reading this will both write, and not just a copy cat letter, recipients do not take those too seriously, and then get ten people to do the same. In addition, we can all work for changes in the laws for much stronger charges and sentences, no allowance for reduction to misdemeanor charges or pathetic community service, and a much better justice system.
Please write, contact all thiose with impact on this case, and encourage, beg, plead, nag, whine, whatever it takes, others to do the same. Remember the Power of One.
This is what I wrote and sent. I can’t even believe that the parents think they are so innocent. Perhaps we should get that box of matches ready for mom and dad so they don’t breed anymore like them.
Honorable David W. Young, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Office, Mayor
Sheila Dixon and City Council:
I am writing on behalf of the heinous crime committed by Tremayne and Travers Johnson. They set poor Phoenix on fire and watched as she burned. If this isn’t addressed properly the first time as a serious offense and they aren’t punished to the maximum, then do we just sit back and wait for them to take a human life? The laws need to protect our animals as well as humans. I have read so many horror stories about how these type of offenders get off with a slap on the wrist. Honorable Judge Young, you are GOD in a court of law, please, I am pleading for you to make a just punishment for poor Phoenix.
I have also read that they used Phoenix to fight too. This type of behavior has to stop. Stop and think: what if it were your pet that they did this too. How would you react? I know that I would be sick and then I wouldn’t stop until justice was served. No matter what Phoenix was, Phoenix didn’t deserve this type of punishment. I can’t even imagine being set on fire while alive. Phoenix been burned so badly, that her kidneys just couldn’t function any longer and had to be euthanized.
What is wrong with our youth today. It needs to stop and it needs to stop now. I am trusting you will do the utmost in this case and perhaps other youth will take notice. If you let this go with a slap on the wrist, then you set the precedence for others to follow. To me 3 years in prison and a $5,000.00 fine is letting them off easy. My heart goes out to Phoenix and others like her that didn’t even have a chance at life.
Thanking you in advance for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
Maureen Golia
Nice letter Moe, thanks for sharing. The personally written letter has so much more impact than a simple cut and paste. Thanks for being a Power of One,.
I also wrote a letter to the Judge in Miles & Baron’s case. I will see if I can post it as well.
That is great MOE.It would be wonderful to have it posted. Seeing what others have written helps people get started, no kidding. When people see that a specific action is being taken they are more motivated to join in and we all know what can happen once the ball gets rolling.
When you post a copy of that letter, will you also post the name and contact info for the Judge so all can see and not have to go digging in order to retrieve it. You really are a Power of One.
These 2 kids should be lit on fire along with their parents.
Most likely, alot if not all, of the blame goes on the parents. From little if any education and training about kindness and compassion, to looking the other way, to not caring, to make excuses, to maybe even being abusers of some kind themselves. These are likely the type of parents who said, “Oh boys will be boys, they don’t mean any harm”, when the twins were caught pulling wings off of flies and pinning bugs to boards to watch them wiggle til they died. You are right, it is a shame that the parents cannot be put on trial also.
Little Phoenix, may you R.I.P.
About those 2 Pieces of S… I would gladly douse them in gasoline and listen to their cries and … just sit there and do nothing!!!
They deserve nothing less! The parents too. How is it possible to defend heinous crimes?!?
This is what I wrote again.
To All of You Concerned:
I am writing this on behalf of Phoenix, the poor Pit Bull that was doused and set on fire by twins, Travis and Jermain Johnson. It is the start of a New Year and it’s time that all stepped up to the plate and recognized what has happened. This is a horrific crime and should be punishable to the fullest extent of the law. If this is not done, then we can expect their next victim to be that of a small child. Look back in history and some of the most devastating criminals are those that started with animal abuse. These two (2) scum bags were fully aware of what they were doing.
Dogs were put on this Earth by God for us to love and have a faithful companion, not to be taught to fight and not to be tortured. These two (2) could have easily taken the dog to a shelter or found it a home, instead they got their cheap thrills by dousing him and setting him on fire. If you let then walk with a slap on the wrist, I hate to think about what we will read about them next.
All of you chose the position you have to uphold the laws and it’s time people all over respect the laws and the people that break them pay for their mistakes. These two (2) are no exception to that rule.
Please do the right thing here and if you can’t, then perhaps it’s time to rethink your positions and find another line of work.
My heart just breaks for Phoenix and the torture he must have endured. Are you going to sit back and wait for them to douse a small child and set them on fire? If you don’t do what is RIGHT, then that is what we will be reading about.
Sincerely,
Maureen Golia