GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – An 18-year-old accused of torturing and killing a gopher tortoise made her first court appearance Saturday morning at the Clay County Courthouse.
Jennifer Greene showed no emotion as she listened to the charges of felony cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, and taking, harassing, harming or killing a gopher tortoise, a second-degree misdemeanor. cruelty to animals.
Last week, she and Danielle Dionne, 15, posted a video showing the tortoise being lit on fire, thrown on the concrete and being stomped on until it died. The video went viral on Facebook.
Dionne is facing the same charges in juvenile court. Both are being held on $55,000 bond.
A young girl who came to the door at Jennifer Green's address on Saturday did not identify herself. She wouldn't answer any questions about Dionne, who is being tried in juvenile court according to authorities.
"Is she out?"
"She's out, yeah, but I don't know where she's at."
"Do they feel remorseful about what's happened?"
"Yes, of course they do."
"You and everyone else. On social media, in the neighborhood, in Orange Park, in Jacksonville. Yeah, everyone is bothering us."
She didn't tell News4Jax whether or not either family had spoken to an attorney, but said the harassment they've received since the video was posted, has not died down.
The two Orange Park teenagers were arrested Friday by investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Clay County Sheriff's Office.
If convicted, Greene could get up to five years in prison on the felony charge and 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine on the misdemeanor.
