By Staff
NILES - A man facing three charges for allegedly killing a chocolate Labrador was arraigned in a Niles courtroom Monday afternoon.
Fred Crawford Pearson, 82, of 517 Maple St., Niles, plead not guilty to the charges of Animal Cruelty, Felony Firearms and Reckless Use of a Firearm and will face a trial by jury.
The charges stem from an incident on Thursday, March 9 when Pearson allegedly shot a three-and-a-half year old Lab belonging to his neighbors, Christy Stevens and Todd Lahti, of 511 Maple St., Niles.
Fifth District Judge Gary J. Bruce kept Pearson on his original $5,000 bond. Pearson will appear again at Niles South County Berrien County Trial Court on Friday, March 17 at 8:30 a.m.