Cases to watch today: Deontae Mitchell's murder and owner of dog that mauled 4-year-old boy

(WJBK) - Defendants in two cases FOX 2 has been following will head to court Thursday.

The three people charged in the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Deontae Mitchell are expected in court Thursday morning for a preliminary hearing.

Gregory Walker, Lillian Roberts and Earnest Coleman are all charged with felony murder, kidnapping and weapons offenses.

Mitchell was found dead in a field on Detroit's east side two days after he was kidnapped outside of a party store.

Prosecutors said the teen was beaten and strangled over $75 he found on the ground that belonged to Walker.

A dog owner convicted in the mauling death of a 4-year-old boy will learn how much time he'll spend in prison Thursday.

Geneke Lyons was found guilty on involuntary manslaughter and having dangerous animals causing death.

Lyons' four pitbull mixes attacked and killed Xavier Strickland while he was walking with his mother.