A murder charge against the owner of pit bulls that killed 4-year-old Xavier Strickland in December was dropped this week.
Geneke Lyons still faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and possessing dangerous animals causing death — he was facing a charge of second degree murder.
The prosecution asked the judge to allow the jury to decide on the murder charge first and then revisit the ruling down the road.
“There has been inadequate evidence presented to this court, for that count No. 1 to be submitted to the jury,” said Judge Michael Callahan. “And I will not wait for the jury to decide it, I’ve already done it.”