[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A 22-yr-previous man from Illinois has been accused of torturing and killing a number of kittens – and warning, Perezcious readers, the main points on this case are sickening.
According to CWB Chicago, Thomas Martel was charged with 4 counts of animal torture and two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals after it the brutal homicide of no less than six kittens was found. During his bail listening to on Tuesday afternoon, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Dale-Schmidt recounted the horrific particulars of the crime – through which she alleged the Chicago roofer drowned and microwaved the cats at his residence earlier than changing them with a lookalike.
The abuse got here to gentle after Martel’s girlfriend contacted the police final month. According to Dale-Schmidt, the lady began to develop into suspicious of Thomas on May 23 when an acquaintance despatched her a video of him oddly throwing a pillowcase into Lake Michigan. She then came upon that contained in the pillowcase was her boyfriend’s new kitten, Shelly.
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Just a few days after Shelly’s sudden disappearance, Thomas bought an grownup male cat named Reggie and one other kitten – additionally named Shelly. He invited his girlfriend over to his residence to fulfill the cats on May 26. Nothing else occurred for a few week till June 3. That day, Thomas had been allegedly ingesting and “engaging in narcotics usage” when he put the brand new kitten into a bathtub of water. Dale-Schmidt mentioned the girlfriend allegedly witnessed him take away an unresponsive Shelly from the water and try and revive it by performing CPR along with his thumb.
The following day, Thomas advised his girlfriend that the kitten required extra chest compressions and took it into the toilet. But ten minutes later, he got here out and Shelly was useless. He then allegedly put the kitten right into a bag and threw it down the trash chute. So, so terrible.
Here’s the place issues proceed to get twisted. Thomas instantly started to look on Craigslist for a brand new kitten that seemed much like the second. He finally discovered one in Indiana. And when he bought the kitten, he named it Shelly. What the f**ok?!
On June 5, Thomas got here residence from work and knowledgeable his girlfriend he wished to show the third kitten learn how to swim. Dale-Schmidt alleged he took it into the toilet. Hours later, Thomas allegedly eliminated a bag from the pantry that contained an merchandise “consistent with a kitten.” That’s when he advised his girlfriend it was the brand new kitten’s physique inside – earlier than tossing her down the trash chute. And the cycle continued. As Judge Kelly McCarthy mentioned in court docket:
“We’re seeing a pattern of going back again and again. Killing an animal, going out and get a replacement. Kill that one, get a replacement. Kill that one, get a replacement. And, unfortunately, this was allowed to continue for a sustained period of time and numerous animals lost their lives.”
He hopped on Craigslist once more to get one other kitten that seemed just like the others. Eventually, the girlfriend advised Thomas he wanted to cease. But he refused to pay attention and kicked her out – solely to name her shortly afterward to ask for cash to purchase a brand new kitten. WTF?! He bought a fourth kitten. And as you may guess, he named it Shelly once more.
He allegedly turned livid with the brand new cat after it urinated in its meals bowl. At the time, Thomas advised his girlfriend the feline wanted a shower. After half-hour within the toilet, he got here out with the kitten wrapped in a towel and chucked it down the trash chute once more. On June 7, he bought one other kitten named Shelly.
And it wasn’t till June 18 that his girlfriend found the graphic movies and photos of Thomas with the fourth kitten. Dale-Schmidt shared the disturbing photos in court docket, which confirmed the kitten nonetheless alive. However, it was captioned “just before I murdered her.” The girlfriend despatched the footage to herself after which contacted the police.
Days later, she returned to Thomas’ residence on June 23. The girlfriend found that Reggie was nonetheless tremendous – however the brand new kitten was lacking. Inside the house, there was additionally a revolting odor. When she spoke with Thomas about it, he advised her that he had murdered three cats within the microwave and put them within the pantry. OMG. The girls seemed contained in the room and found the supply of the horrific scent: a black bag on the shelf.
The couple went to mattress that night time. However, she referred to as the police at one level and advised officers to look contained in the pantry. When the authorities reduce open the bag, they found “multiple” components of the kittens. This is so, so sick…
Thomas was taken in for per week-lengthy psychological well being analysis earlier than finally turning himself in on Monday. In court docket, prosecutors mentioned he confessed to his girlfriend “he enjoyed killing cats and he had been like that since he was eight years old.” Who is aware of what number of poor cats he’s killed since then… He additionally admitting to searching for new lookalike felines on Craigslist so his mom wouldn’t get suspicious.
At this time, the choose has ordered Thomas to pay $7,500 in bail. If he posts bail, McCarthy ordered that he put on an digital monitor and be banned from acquiring, controlling, or having any contact with any animals. Our hearts simply break for these cats. No animal ought to ever be handled to such despicable torture. Reactions to the case? Let us know within the feedback under.
[Image via Chicago Police Department]
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