No Justice for Pit Bull Mauling Victim Emma Hernandez After “Not Guilty” Jury Verdict in Detroit

A Wayne County jury found killer pit bull owner, Pierre Cleveland, not guilty of all charges after a six day trial. His dogs fatally mauled Emma Hernandez to death in August of 2019, The Detroit News reported.

Cleveland was charged with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and possession of a dangerous animal causing death.

Emma Hernandez, age 9, was riding her bicycle near her home when Cleveland’s three pit bulls escaped their yard and mauled Emma to death.

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Barbara Lanning said Cleveland created “a high risk of harm” by leaving the dogs unrestrained and unsupervised for more than two hours.

“It is no surprise to anyone that we’re in a situation where there are previous incidents where the dogs (are) barking at children, the dogs frequently escaping the backyard and the defendant knowing that these dogs are aggressive,” she said. “The situation like this one where … Emma Hernandez is doing nothing but riding a bike, being a child behind her own home, when she’s attacked by the defendant’s dogs.”

Cleveland’s defense attorney argued that Cleveland didn’t know his dogs were aggressive and that he was shocked that they fatally mauled the child.

Emma’s father testified at the preliminary hearing in 2019, “I picked her up in my arms and I couldn’t believe she was just lifeless,” said an emotional Hernandez. “I fall on the ground … and I started crying. I can’t believe my baby’s gone. I’m trying to give her CPR.”

At Cleveland’s preliminary exam, Judge Michael Wagner of 36th District court said Cleveland had been previously warned that his dogs were getting out of his backyard.

“He knew the dogs could get out and over (the fence) and had evidence that the dogs were getting out that’s why he was filling in the hole,” said Wagner. 

“You have a duty to not allow these things to happen,” the judge told Cleveland.

“People in the neighborhood have a right to ride their bikes or cut their grass” without fear of the dogs getting out and attacking them, the judge said.

Apparently, the Wayne County jury didn’t see it that way.

God help us.