The Brief
- Thomas Martel, a Wicker Park resident, was sentenced to 4½ years in prison after pleading guilty to animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
- Prosecutors and Chicago police said Martel drowned and squeezed two cats to death, while a third cat in his care died from mutilation. Officers also found a kitten in a plastic bag at his apartment.
- Martel was charged in July 2023 after a 29-year-old woman reported suspected animal cruelty. Authorities have not released additional details about the case or the relationship between Martel and the woman.
CHICAGO – A Wicker Park man who tortured and killed at least four kittens three years ago has been sentenced to 4½ years in prison, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Thomas Martel pleaded guilty to animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals. His sentence was announced Monday.
What we know:
According to prosecutors and Chicago police, Martel drowned and squeezed two cats to death. A third cat in his care died from mutilation.…