CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN JOSE : Dog Photos Shown at Murder Trial

Prosecutors Friday introduced more than a dozen photographs of frenzied fighting dogs that were taken from the home of the first U.S. pit bull owner charged with murder for his animal’s actions. The photos, enlargements of snapshots taken from Michael Berry, 39, were part of the prosecution’s effort to show that Berry was deeply involved in dog fighting and trained the animal that killed a 2-year-old neighbor, James Soto, who wandered into Berry’s yard on Jan. 13, 1987. The pit bull, Willy, had been leashed on a six-foot chain and guarded a corridor that led to a patch of 243 marijuana plants, according to testimony. Berry was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the charge was upgraded to second-degree murder in November, 1987, alleging malice because Berry had trained Willy to fight and had failed to take proper precautions. Willy was ordered put to death, but is currently at the Santa Clara County Animal Shelter while his death sentence is appealed.