Dog's Beating Death Results in 10-Year Sentence

Marietta, GA -- Darwin Kerrington Thompson, 21, of Marietta, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for beating his mother's dog to death.

Thompson pled guilty in March to aggravated cruelty to animals in the Aug. 19, 2014, beating death of the 15-pound poodle mix named Brooklyn. He then took the lifeless dog to Banfield Pet Hospital, where he ultimately admitted to beating the dog.

His original sentencing, scheduled for earlier this month, was delayed twice, first by a diluted and then positive drug screen, and a second time after Thompson was admitted to a mental health facility.

On Tuesday morning, Thompson read a prepared statement to the court and said, “The weight of my actions will always be heavy on my shoulders.”

Thompson’s mother also addressed the court, saying she felt responsible for not recognizing his emotional problems sooner. She asked for an alternative to prison.

“I believe he should be punished,” she said. “To me, he’s been incarcerated mentally for so long.”

ADA Sherwin Figueroa urged the court to send Thompson to prison, pointing out that he “chose to take out his rage and his anger on an innocent animal.” Figueroa also reminded the court that the state presented an expert witness at the plea hearing who has found that people who abuse animals often progress to abusing children, partners and the elderly.

Cobb Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Poole agreed, and sentenced Thompson to 10 years, with two years to serve in custody and the balance on probation.

“I cannot look past a criminal defendant showing up for court on a non-negotiated plea doing drugs. Not only did he violate conditions of his bond, but then he lied about it and tried to trick the system by diluting,” Judge Poole said. “You stomped the dog to death. It’s a heinous, horrible, unforgivable act. You cut the limb out from under yourself.”