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Man jailed for microwaving, beheading kittens
23 Jun
Summary
- Thomas Martel microwaved and decapitated kittens.
- He drowned multiple kittens in his bathtub.
- Martel received a 54-month prison sentence.
Thomas Martel was sentenced on June 22, 2026, to 54 months in prison for the torture and killing of kittens. This sentence is to be served concurrently, and he received credit for 1,079 days spent on house arrest.
The case came to light on June 18, 2023, when Martel's then-girlfriend discovered disturbing videos on his phone. These videos documented the horrific abuse and murder of several kittens, including one that was decapitated and another that was microwaved.
Prosecutors detailed that Martel admitted to drowning multiple kittens in his bathtub in May and June of 2023. He also informed his girlfriend that he had been killing felines since childhood, prompting her to report him to the authorities.
Martel, initially charged with five counts of animal torture and aggravated cruelty, pleaded guilty to one count of each. He turned himself in on July 11, 2023, and has been on house arrest since posting $75,000 bail. He is now on the Cook County animal abuser list and faces six months of probation and a required psychiatric evaluation.
