Possum Slaying Posted on Facebook; Calif. Teen Carter Livingston Allegedly Stabbed Animal 44 Times

LAKE OF THE PINES, Calif. (KOVR) A California teenager could face a year in jail after he allegedly stabbed a possum 44 times and posted the gruesome video footage of the attack on Facebook.

However, his social networking friends attempted to clear the name of their "animal loving" acquaintance by creating The "Carter Livingston Support Group" page in his defense.

Depending on whom you ask, 19-year-old Carter Livingston may need more than a Facebook page and a few kind words from friends to salvage his now muddied reputation.

The teen allegedly butchered the small animal near an outside gate at his family's Lake of the Pines home, reports CBS affiliate KOVR.

Neighborhood children reportedly stood close by as Livingston repeatedly stabbed the possum.

"That's a hell of a way to kill a pest. You've got euthanasia for crying out loud - Animal Control will take care of it for you," a neighbor told KOVR.

Livingston's actions may have gone unnoticed outside the gated community which lies northeast of Sacramento if he had not decided to post the video on Facebook for its millions of members to view, including the Nevada County District Attorney who immediately filed a felony animal cruelty charge.

"From what I heard from neighbors who did see the piece, it was pretty horrific," another neighbor told KOVR.

Livingston has pleaded not guilty and the Facebook group bearing his name did not last more than a day on the site before it was taken down.

He awaits his Nevada County court date next week which is expected to draw a large crowd.

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