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Dogfighters handed maximum sentence BY ROBERT MOORE, Tribune Staff WriterCriminal Court Judge John F. Dugger imposed the maximum sentence — two years — for two Morristown men convicted for fighting pit bulls in a jury trial earlier this month.

Bobby Lee Killion, 51, and Stephen Ewing, 52, remain free on a $20,000 appeal bond, court records indicate. Dugger is scheduled to rule on a motion for a new trial on May 9.

When the pair was convicted on March 5, the jury imposed a $2,800 fine, $200 short of the maximum.

"Judge Dugger said it was a heinous crime," said Rich Hart, a Morristown animal control officers. "He said he had enough violation crime coming through the court system without dealing with crime involving animals.
"He said he’s putting the word out that he’s making an example," Hart added. "These types of offenses won’t be tolerated in Hamblen County and the Third Judicial District."

Killion and Ewing were taken into custody in May 2007 at Ewing’s West Seventh North Street residence after an anonymous caller phoned 911 and reported a dogfight was taking place there.

In Ewing’s blood-splattered basement, police and animal control officers found a dirt dog-fighting pit that was surrounded by concrete and wooden walls. Authorities confiscated four pit bulls that had been injured in dogfights that night.

The dogs remain at the animal shelter and their ultimate fate remains unclear.

Hart said this morning they will either be put to sleep or placed in an anti-aggression rehabilitation program. The animal control officer said the latter option is "rare."



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