UNITED STATES: Chicago man who tortured and killed kittens sentenced to 4.5 years — then released the same day
Thomas Martel, 25, bought kittens online and named each one “Shelly.”
Prosecutors say he drowned them, mutilated them, decapitated them, and microwaved them inside his Wicker Park apartment.
His girlfriend discovered a Snapchat video of a kitten still alive with the caption “Right before I murdered her.” Martel admitted he had been killing cats since childhood.
He pleaded guilty to animal torture and aggravated cruelty.
A Cook County judge sentenced him to 54 months. Illinois credited him with 1,079 days already spent on electronic monitoring.
Martel reported to the Department of Corrections on June 23 and was released the same day. He is now serving six months of supervised release at his family’s home in Northbrook
Animal torture on this level is a serious warning sign. Many are calling this outcome a failure of justice.