Burlington Co. Man Who Killed Friend, Dog Gets Sentenced

EVESHAM, NJ — An Evesham man was sentenced Friday to 34 years in prison for killing his friend and the victim's dog while conducting a robbery.

Donovan G. Hollingsworth, 27, must serve 30 years in prison with no parole eligibility for murdering Thomas Pierson III and an additional four years for killing Pierson's Cane Corso.

In February 2022, Evesham police responded to the Olympus Apartments for a report of a possible dog attack on a resident. Arriving officers discovered Pierson, 26, deceased inside his home with multiple stab wounds, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO).

The victim's dog was found dead on a stairwell landing, authorities said.

The investigation revealed that Hollingsworth traveled to Pierson’s apartment to rob him, the BCPO said. An altercation ensued in which Hollingsworth stabbed Pierson and the victim's dog.

Hollingsworth fled and later went to Virtua Voorhees Hospital for minor injuries. Police arrested him from the emergency room.

Last August, a jury deliberated for just more than an hour and returned several guilty verdicts against Hollingsworth. He was convicted of murder (first-degree), robbery (first-degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (third-degree), animal cruelty (third-degree) and unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth-degree).