A Criminal Court jury was deliberating on Friday in the case in which Chance Loftis was charged with murder and aggravated cruelty to animals in the April 24, 2012, death of riverman Donald Rogers and his Yorkshire terrier Braxton.
Travis Jenkins, who faces similar charges, was called as the state's chief witness, and he put the blame on Loftis. He said Loftis became enraged after a drunken Rogers could not locate the campsite where they were due to spend the night.
He said Loftis hit the victim numerous times with his fists in the face and head and then killed the dog with a boat paddle.
Loftis did not take the witness stand.
Loftis was 24 at the time and Jenkins was 28. Loftis had been living with Jenkins for a short time prior to the incident.
Rogers stayed down the street with his mother and step-father.
Jenkins said Rogers pulled a knife, but Loftis took it away from him.
The jury started deliberating at 9 a.m. and took a lunch break around noon.