DETROIT

Man sentenced in dog mauling death

Dog owner Geneke Lyons, left, talks directly with Lucillie Strickland, far right, before he is sentenced in his dogs' killing of her 4-year-old son, Xavier Strickland on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit.
Dog owner Geneke Lyons, left, talks directly with Lucillie Strickland, far right, before he is sentenced in his dogs' killing of her 4-year-old son, Xavier Strickland on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Lucillie Strickland wipes her eyes as she listens to Geneke Lyons' comments before his sentencing. Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Parisa Kiani is at left.
Lucillie Strickland wipes her eyes as she listens to Geneke Lyons' comments before his sentencing. Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Parisa Kiani is at left.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Geneke Lyons was given five years probation with nearly a year of jail time with work release for the incident.
Geneke Lyons was given five years probation with nearly a year of jail time with work release for the incident.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
“I’m willing to forgive you for what your dogs did,” Lucillie Strickland told Lyons.
“I’m willing to forgive you for what your dogs did,” Lucillie Strickland told Lyons.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Wayne County Circuit Judge James Callahan admitted that he went below the sentencing guidelines because he believed Geneke Lyons was truly remorseful for the incident and also that he had turned his life around from a previous prison term for dealing drugs.
Wayne County Circuit Judge James Callahan admitted that he went below the sentencing guidelines because he believed Geneke Lyons was truly remorseful for the incident and also that he had turned his life around from a previous prison term for dealing drugs.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News