Man Guilty in Pit Bull’s Killing of Boy

SAN JOSE —  In the first case of its kind, a jury Friday acquitted a Morgan Hill man of second-degree murder in his pit bull’s fatal attack on a 2-year-old boy, but found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter and three lesser charges.

It was the first time in this country someone had been charged with murder for an attack made by his dog. The Santa Clara County Superior Court jury returned the verdicts against Michael Berry after a day and a half of deliberations.

Berry, who could have faced 15 years in prison if convicted of the murder charge, was also found guilty of owning a mischievous animal, cultivating marijuana, and keeping a fighting dog. Judge James Flaherty set a January sentencing date.

Berry, 39, was charged in connection with the June 13, 1987, death of James Soto, his neighbor, who wandered into the Berry yard and was mauled to death by Berry’s 4-year-old pit bull, Willy.