UPDATE: Justin Chipman was found guilty Thursday on several charges related to Franky's death, according to WABI.


 

One of two men accused of torturing and killing a Winter Harbor pug went on trial Thursday morning.

Justin Chipman and Nathan Burke are accused of burglarizing the Winter Harbor home of Phillip Torrey, stealing and heavily damaging his SUV, and killing his dog. The details of the dog's death are gruesome, including being badly beaten, shot, and then wrapped in garbage bags and dumped in the water. Franky's body eventually washed up on a private beach belonging to Hancock County's District Attorney. Torrey had employed the two men as sternmen on his lobster boat, and told authorities that he considered them friends.

Newscenter Maine reports Justin Chipman's trial is a bench trial, which means there is no jury. The defense attorney said, in his opening statement, that the judge would hear the details of Franky's death, but that the prosecution would not be able to prove his client had anything to do with it. Prosecutors decided not to give an opening statement.

Chipman and Burke are charged with burglary, theft, aggravated cruelty to animals, aggravated criminal mischief, and unauthorized use of property. Burke's trial date has not yet been set.

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