Burlington County, NJ, Man Found Guilty of Killing Friend, Dog

A man from Burlington Count has been found guilty for fatally stabbing his friend and dog while robbing him last year.

After deliberating for just over an hour, a jury returned a guilty verdict against 26-year-old Donovan G. Hollingsworth of Evesham on first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, third-degree cruelty to animals, and related weapons charges.

An investigation began on the morning of February 5th, 2022, when officers from the Evesham Township Police Department were called to the Olympus Apartments on Baker Boulevard for a report of a possible dog attack on a resident.

When officers arrived, they found 26-year-old Thomas Pierson III of Evesham dead inside his residence with multiple stab wounds.

The victim’s dog, Django, was found dead, also with stab wounds, on a stairwell landing.

The investigation revealed that Hollingsworth traveled to Pierson's apartment with the intention of robbing him. An altercation ensued, during which Hollingsworth stabbed Pierson and Django.

Hollingsworth fled and was later taken into custody by Evesham Township police officers at the emergency room of Virtua Voorhees Hospital where he had gone for treatment of minor injuries.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 27th.