Adult trial for burning dog suspects

BALTIMORE, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Two Baltimore teenagers charged with setting a dog on fire will face trial as adults, a judge has ruled.

Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17-year-old twins, face animal cruelty charges for allegedly setting a pit bull puppy on fire. The dog had to be euthanized.

If convicted, the Johnsons could spend three years in jail, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Attorneys for the suspects told the judge Tuesday they did not receive proper care from the juvenile system after being put on probation for a handgun violation in October 2008. Tremayne Johnson's lawyer said his client has depression but never had any problems before brain surgery to remove a tumor four years ago.

A representative of juvenile services said the teenager did not cooperate with some of the department programs.