A former neighbor of animal cruelty defendant, 22-year old DeShawn Brown, told the jury "this wasn't no accident."

Ricky Vasquez also testified that he saw Brown with a gas can in his hand and making disparaging remarks about his dog just minutes after the animal was set on fire.

Brown could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of animal cruelty.

Vasquez testified that in April of 2006 he was having a beer with a friend and noticed a fireball running down the street. Vasquez says he poured beer on the dog and his friend used a blanket to put out the flames on the burning dog.

The pitbull named Mercy had to be put to sleep several days after the incident.

Tension in the courtroom reached a fevered pitch this afternoon when Judge Michael Snipes threatened to hold Defense Attorney Dan Wyde in "contempt of court" if there were "any further outbursts."

Wyde has challenged the judge and prosecutors on multiple legal issues throughout the day.