Jennifer Emoke Greene, 18, and a 15-year-old girl were charged with a felony cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, and taking, harassing, harming and killing a gopher tortoise, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Videos posted on the Facebook page of the Nevada Voters for Animals showed the girls dousing the tortoise with a flammable fluid and laughing as it tries to get away from the flames. “I just want him to die,” and “Burn baby burn,” said the two teenage girls from Orange Park  that decided to stomp and kick the poor animal after setting fire to it.

According to the 2014 Florida Statutes, a person who kills, intends to kill, or attempts to kill a victim can be convicted under a capital felony or an offense that was reclassified as a capital felony. If the act was committed before the person becomes 18 years old he/she shall be punished with imprisonment for life if it is an appropriate sentence. If the court finds that life imprisonment is an inappropriate sentence, the person will be punished by a term of at least 40 years.  Eighteen year-old Jennifer Emoke and her 15 year-old friend face serious charges after being arrested. These charges include a maximum of 10 years in prison or other lesser punishments for a third-degree felony.

“They are going to go through the court system and get it all figured out. Whatever the court system hands down, that’s what they’re going to do,” the father of one of the girls said.

“Cruelty to animals is a clear warning sign to a serious mental illness that could be very serious later on.” Said Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a forensic physiologist.

The girls could be receiving psychological help instead of jail time due to claims of mental illness.

FSA Connection Questions

1. In the article, the author pulls a quote from the Florida Statues. How does this support her main idea?
2. In the third paragraph, the uses the word psychological. Based on the context, what do you think it means?
3. Select the best two sentences from the story that supports the idea of imprisonment for animal cruelty.
4. What is the connotation of the word
5. Select one sentence that best summarizes the work
6. The author seems to offer what main idea?