Deer Burning Suspect Denies Wrongdoing, Condemns 'Savage Social Media Attacks'

PERRY HALL, MD — One of the Baltimore County men accused of tying up a deceased baby deer and setting it on fire denied the accusations against him.

A lawyer for Ethan Patrick Cummins, 18, of Rosedale, said the charges are unwarranted.

"Ethan Cummins is wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit," attorney Thomas Maronick told Patch in a Tuesday statement.

Cummins was one of five charged last week after the deer was found in a Perry Hall neighborhood in late July. Three undisclosed minors and Aiden Thomas Holman, 18, of Nottingham, also face charges.

Online court records do not yet list a lawyer for Holman. Patch was unable to find a way to contact Holman for a comment.

For now, Cummins' lawyer is the only one publicly denying the allegations.

"We expect evidence will show that he had no role whatsoever in the desecration of a deceased animal," Maronick said. "As the case is ongoing, I cannot get into further details here."

Maronick is frustrated with the social media storm that followed this case.

"The savage social media attacks on this young man are totally undeserved and reprehensible," Maronick said. "He deserves his day in court, and we look forward to that, not to being tried on social media."

Related:

• Deer Set On Fire In Perry Hall Prompts Arrests: Prosecutors
• Baby Deer Found Burned, Tied With Rope In Perry Hall: Neighbor

Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said the suspects were all charged on Friday. Online court records show that the adults were released on recognizance, and Shellenberger said the parents of the minors were notified.

Case files say Cummins and Holman were charged with reckless endangerment, removal of deer hide and possession of game animal. None of the charges are felonies. Their trials are scheduled for Sept. 16.

Shellenberger said the minors were charged with reckless endangerment and "Maryland Natural Resource statute 10-415 E and F, and 10-416 C."

"In Baltimore County[,] we take all crime seriously," Shellenberger told Patch in an email. "Many thanks to the neighbors who provided information. Good work from the Baltimore County Police Department."

The case has left neighbors concerned.

"A baby deer was found with a rope tied around its neck and severe burn marks, left in the street," Tiffany Doxanas, who lives nearby, told Patch in a statement. "Nearby, there was a glove, a charred piece of box, and a Wawa receipt for a buffalo chicken quesadilla, which adds to the suspicion surrounding this cruel act."

Doxanas said the incident happened on the morning of July 24 on Bangert Avenue near the intersection with Forge Haven Drive. That's located in the Honeygo area.

"It appears the animal was already deceased before the incident occurred," Baltimore County Police Department spokesperson Detective Trae Corbin told Patch in an email.

Doxanas said police increased patrols and investigated in the community after the deer was found.

"We are deeply worried about the safety of our neighborhood and the well-being of local wildlife," Doxanas said before the arrests. "The community deserves a thorough investigation into this heinous act and the person responsible should be held accountable."

Doxanas hoped the news coverage would help investigators determine who is responsible.

"There's been a lot of posts online and people are understandably upset and angry," she said.

Doxanas said her "only concern is more than likely we are dealing with a child/teenager." She hopes "to approach sensitive situations like this with compassion and understanding."

"If a child is involved in such troubling behavior, it could indicate deeper issues that need to be addressed rather than simply assigning blame," Doxanas said. "While I believe this act is a crime that must be addressed and not go unpunished, I also sincerely hope that whoever is responsible receives the help they need."