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Judge sets trial date in deadly dog attack case after delays
A judge on Tuesday set an October trial date in the case tied to the fatal dog mauling of 8-year-old Michael Millett, criticizing prosecutors for delays of more than a year after the child’s death.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A judge on Tuesday set an October trial date in the case involving the deadly dog mauling of 8-year-old Michael Millett, while criticizing prosecutors over delays in the proceedings.
Amanda Franco and Brandy Hodil are charged with tampering with evidence—a third-degree felony. Franco is also charged with a second-degree misdemeanor.
The backstory:
Michael was killed Jan. 13, 2025, after authorities said he and a friend approached a pit bull and a Catahoula before the dogs attacked him.
Michael Millett
Prosecutors allege the dogs’ owners, Brandy Hodil and Amanda Franco, knew the animals frequently escaped and had violent tendencies.
Amanda Franco, left, and Brandy Hodil. (Credit: Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Despite the child’s death, the women are charged with a second-degree misdemeanor related to the fatal attack. They also face felony evidence-tampering charges connected to allegations they concealed evidence about the dogs’ behavior, charges that carry penalties of up to five years in prison.
What’s happening with the case
For more than a year now, Tiffani Connell has been waiting for some type of justice, saying she doesn’t understand what’s taking so long.
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A judge seemed to have that same sentiment at a status conference Tuesday, chastising the state prosecutor for not already having finished her discovery disclosures.
What they're saying:
"My son is gone," said Michael’s mother, Tiffani Connell. "It’s not fair that we live in misery and they get to live like nothing ever happened."
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Connell says she does not want the State to offer a plea deal. She wants the case to go to trial, and she hopes Amanda Franco and Brandy Hodil see the maximum penalty they’re facing. She says that penalty still wouldn’t be enough.
"We can't bring him back, no amount of jail time, no whatever is gonna bring him back."
What's next:
The judge set new deadlines for the case at Tuesday’s status conference.
She says the State has to finish its discovery disclosures, including the witness and exhibit list, by August 14. The Defense’s discovery deadline is September 15.
The judge wanted jury instructions due by September 16, and had a docket sounding scheduled for 1:30 p.m. that day.
The trial is set to start October 4. It’s expected to last five days.
The Source: This article was written with information from Volusia County court records, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office and previous FOX 35 reporting.