Last Post on Mercy's Trial

September 30, 2007

Fellow Animal Lovers, To us, every single animal's life is important. To people like DaShawn Brown, Mercy was just an animated piece of property and a means to make money off her puppies.

We understand the reality behind thousands of dogs being euthanized every single day in the Metroplex. We know the mentality of people like DaShawn -- we just can't fathom how a human being can be so cruel. We recognize the cycle -- so many animals suffering atrocities of vicious cruelty and enduring neglect. We know it will happen again. So, people like us do all we can to raise awareness, establish legislation and save lives. We do so because we simply must. We weep. We get furious. We act. We lead by example.

The prosecution said in their final closing that they hoped "some day DaShawn would return to human form." Very unlikely. Even the co-defense asked his mother on the stand if he was "beyond redemption" and then corrected by asking her if he was "beyond rehabilitation." Interesting. Of course, Mr. Wyde went on and on about vicious pit bulls ripping babies apart and even said that they "act gentle only to lure you in." Absurd! Mr. Wyde also forced the director of the City of Dallas' Animal Control Division to read editorials aloud to the jury about other people's opinions of pit bulls. This gentleman again and again testified that those were not his opinions and that "any animal with teeth has the ability to bite." In Mr. Wyde's final closing, he asked the jury how they could "put a human being in prison for destroying their own piece of property when the City of Dallas' two shelters destroyed 250 dogs on Monday, 250 dogs on Tuesday, 250 dogs on Wednesday...." (!!!)

The DA made it clear that these were just more ways of getting the jury to "take their eyes off the ball." I failed to mention in my previous posts the mention of a homeless man named Casper. What an ironic name for a person that supposedly kept reappearing at DaShawn's apartment, but no one else that lived in the complex that testified ever heard of him. Yep, you guessed it, Casper reappeared in the courtroom during final closing. You all know that DaShawn was given four years in prison and is eligible for parole in two -- and only a $5,000 fine. The sentencing phase of the trial lasted into the evening. The jury was out almost two hours prior to their decision. Mr. Wyde asked for a bond (I don't understand how he could legally at this point?) and said he will be petitioning for a new trial.

Prosecution's testimonials consisted of the police officer that pulled DaShawn over for driving drunk this past May. The tape of his arrest was then viewed -- to show the character of the real DaShawn. Then his parole officer from Michigan testified to his record in her state and that he did not follow rules of probation with her when he came to TX. That he would most definitely not be a "good candidate for parole." Family members (step-brother, fiance & mother) testified to DaShawn's "love" for animals and I won't sicken you by sharing those details -- other than to let you know he was an employee at PetSmart briefly and that animals are still in the custody of his girlfriend/fiance (in MI [prosecution forced her to give address on the stand -- one of the pit bulls just had a litter of puppies that in her words they "sold off"], there are two pit bulls, one rat terrier, three cats, and one snake). She also testified that she saw blood outside their apartment door that night and, of course, lied about everything else -- including trying to take Mercy to the vet that tragic evening. We know that Mercy endured a lonely night of immeasurable agony. Meghan Burn did tell the court that DaShawn was intoxicated the night he was pulled over in Denton for a DWI months after he was released on bond and charged with torturing Mercy. She also testified to the gentle nature of Mercy/Brandi -- "her dog." And to the fact that they were caught in a MI hotel room with numerous drugs, guns, adult pit bulls, and a room full of puppies. The prosecution kept reminding her that they had her and DaShawn's recent phone calls from jail recorded and would play them for her to refresh her memory. She tried to manipulate the jury like her and DaShawn plotted. His step-brother said he "didn't much care for dogs himself, but DaShawn did." Oh, and that he met Casper -- the "crazy dude." The defense again picked on the same animal advocate that was present during the whole trial for a second time and accused her of speaking with a juror out in the hall. Of course, it turned out to be a completely different person that she had spoken with -- so this person had to be found and brought in for validation. This lady pointed out that she would never do anything to jeopardize the trial because she cared about animals. (Starting to recognize the man called Wyde?) DaShawn's mother testified too. She spoke of him being "very smart" and her inability to control the actions of her only son. He manipulated her too. The prosecution's closing statements during this phase were very strong. They urged the jury to give him ten years in prison -- a year for each day Mercy suffered before she finally died. They pointed out that his criminal history demanded the logic of absolutely no parole. And that animals would be at home waiting for him when he got out. Sadly, they focused on the fact that Mercy was obedient, trusted this man and gave him unconditional love. I saw DaShawn smile after sentencing. I bet he's not smiling right now!

So, we all left in shock -- hoping that the public eye views the story behind the news. We know the power of a case like this. We know that DaShawn deserves more years in prison to hold him accountable to his evil actions. We know that it is a step in the right direction for TX. We vow not to sidestep the reality of Mercy and other animals just like her.

We hope that people who aren't as conscious as we are to animals -- their suffering and neglect -- at least realize now that they can act upon things they witness or know about. We are left hoping the public really sees Mercy for what she was -- and is for similar cases. We hope that more and more people stand-up and speak-out so that someday, humanity will evolve into a society that does not take an animal'ls life for granted. A society that refuses to deny an animal's pain and fear. A society that does not shun an animal's abuse, suffering, neglect, and torture.

We remember Mercy with the dignity she deserves.

*** Operation Kindness is going to schedule a candlelight vigil for Mercy. If you wish to be notified via e-mail, sign-up for their "Pet-Talk" via their homepage.

The defense tried to say that no one will remember this trial within a few months from now. How can we forget? The fact is, Mercy has become a part of countless people worldwide. For Mercy and for ALL tortured animals,

--Michelle Explore the seven wonders of the world Learn more!