mobanmarketBURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A Burlington County man accused of killing a friend and the victim’s dog during a robbery was found guilty on Thursday.
In February 2022, officers found that Thomas Pierson III and his dog suffered fatal stabbings inside the Evesham apartment complex where they lived. The investigation revealed that Donovan G. Hollingsworth stabbed them both during an altercation when he was trying to rob Pierson, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
The jury found Hollingsworth guilty of murder (first-degree), robbery (first-degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (third-degree), cruelty to animals (third-degree) and unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth-degree). Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 27 in Burlington County Superior Court.
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Hollingsworth, 26, of Evesham, has been in Burlington County Jail since his arrest, which came a few hours after the slayings.
On the day of the incident, Evesham officers were called to the Olympus Apartments on Baker Boulevard for a report of a possible dog attack on a resident. Officers found Pierson, 26, dead inside his home. Pierson’s dog —a Cane Corso named Django — was found dead on the stairwell landing.
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The investigation revealed that Hollingsworth went to Pierson’s apartment with the intention of robbing him. When an altercation ensued, Hollingsworth stabbed both victims and fled.
Officers took Hollingsworth into custody at Virtua Voorhees Hospital’s emergency room, where he went for treatment of minor injuries.
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