Alleged Dog-Killer's Legal Path May Become Clear This Week

Byrnes will be back in court tomorrow for a hearing that may have a major impact upon his legal path. He is currently being tried in Behavioral Health Court, a service that exists to "connect criminal defendants who suffer from serious mental illness to treatment services in the community" and "ensure public safety and reducing recidivism and violence on re-arrest through appropriate mental health treatment and intensive supervision." The District Attorney's office, however, has long stated that Byrnes is too violent and too much of a risk to the community for the special court. Tuesday's hearing could determine if his case stays where it is or is shunted back to regular criminal court.

A number of longtime friends of Byrnes told SF Weekly they'd long been concerned for the drummer and artist, who battled mental health issues throughout his life before suffering a number of setbacks in recent years.

Police and eyewitness reports state that Byrnes drove up to the Immaculate Conception church in Bernal Heights in August and proceeded to hack at his pit bull, Nickel, with a hatchet, before carrying the dog inside. Police followed a trail of blood into the chapel and located the stained hatchet as well as Byrnes' blood-soaked pants and shoes. They found him crouched over the mortally wounded dog, naked and slathered in blood. The arresting officers claim Byrnes told them "The devil was in my dog. I had to get the devil out."

Byrnes is facing one count of maiming or killing an animal and one count of residential burglary. If convicted of both charges in criminal court, he could face three years and eight months in prison.

"When Joe is lucid and okay and not suffering from a hyper swing, he's a really lovely guy," said one longtime friend told SF Weekly last year. "But he's got some problems. I'm assuming the police reports are correct. He's a really close friend of mine and this is breaking my heart"