Update: Burbank siblings to appear in animal cruelty trial

Prince died after fatal stabbing
Prince died after senseless attack

The 18-year-old brother and 23-year-old sister who brutally killed their aunt’s cocker spaniel will face trial March 7th. On February 4, 2012, Timo Bodtcher held down Prince while Charissa Bodtcher stabbed him approximately 10 times with a 12-inch hunting knife. Both fled the scene leaving Prince to die. Prince managed to climb up the long flight of stairs leading to his home in a 2nd floor apartment. Police testified Prince left trail of blood on the stairway where they found him bleeding profusely with his organs protruding. Tim Bodtcher justified his actions by saying Prince was “crazy” and “bites people.” Both siblings are free on bail.

Update: Burbank siblings plead not guilty

Timo Bodtcher charged with animal cruelty
Timo Bodtcher charged with animal cruelty

Charissa and Timo Bodtcher plead not guilty yesterday to animal cruelty.  Burbank police say the two stabbed their aunt’s cocker spaniel mix with a 12-inch hunting knife.  District Attorney Michael Stewart accused Timo Bodtcher of holding down Prince while Charissa Bodtcher stabbed him.  Stewart said the stabbing was so brutal that Prince’s intestines were hanging out.  The two remain jailed in lieu of a $20,000 bond each until their February 16 court date.  The siblings’ mother, Maria Theresa Bodtcher, plead not guilty to accessory charges and was released on her own recognizance.

Burbank family arrested in cocker spaniel stabbing

Maria Theresa Bodtcher in undated photo

Last Saturday, Charissa Bodtcher, 23, and her brother Timo Bodtcher, 18, were arrested for fatally stabbing their aunt’s dog in Burbank, California. Lt. John Dilibert of the Burbank Police Department described the scene as “pretty horrific.” Prince, the cocker spaniel, had been stabbed “numerous” times dying from his wounds. The siblings’ mother, Maria Theresa Bodtcher, 47, was also arrested after disposing the 8-inch knife in a nearby dumpster.

Prince reportedly nipped Charissa Bodtcher who came over to do her laundry. “It appears that when she’s come over the dog has tried to nip at her heels and has barked at her” said officer Dilibert. The three family members are being held on a $20,000 bond each as they face animal cruelty and conspiracy charges.