Kinship Circle | Letter Campaigns

10/24/08: No Plea Deal For Ruthless Cat Killer

SOURCE OF INFORMATION / BACKGROUND

UPDATE - 12/18/09: Norman's Killer Gets Slap-On-The-Wrist Penalties
SOURCE: Actor Who Killed Girlfriend's Cat Accepts Misdemeanor Plea Deal

12/18/09, SUMMARY: Manhattan Supreme Court — Joseph Petcka, a "Sex and the City" actor and former minor league ballplayer who killed his girlfriend's cat Norman "in self defense," walked away with a misdemeanor rap. With over 500 hours of community service, the 6- foot-two, 205-pound Petcka was allowed to plead guilty to attempted animal cruelty, a misdemeanor. He was originally tried on felony animal cruelty charges. "You love that cat more than me!" Petcka screamed at then girlfriend Lisa Altobelli on 3/27/07 before kicking her cat to death at her West Village apartment...

• 10/7/08: Demand Retrial For Vicious Cat Killer
• Lawyer in NY cat-kill case says plea deal possible • Cat beaten to death New York, NY (US)

Norman, an 8-pound declawed tabby, and his killer, Joseph Petcka.

CONTACT INFORMATION + SAMPLE LETTER

CONTACT INFORMATION • Print/Send This Letter

The Honorable Leila Kermani, Assistant District Attorney
Office of the Manhattan District Attorney
One Hogan Place
NY, NY 10013
ph: 212-335-3630 (or 9400); fax: 212-335-9288
www.manhattanda.org

The Honorable Michael J. Obus
Manhattan Criminal Court
100 Centre Street
NY, NY 10013
ph: 646-386-4500; fax: 212-374-5293

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SAMPLE LETTER • Print/Send This Letter

Assistant District Attorney Leila Kermani and Hon. Michael J. Obus:

Concerned citizens recently urged you to retry Joseph Petcka, the one-time minor league pitcher and aspiring actor who killed his girlfriend's cat Norman on March 27, 2007.

We now implore you to reject a plea deal, offered by defense lawyer Charles Hochbaum, which would let Petcka evade another trial altogether.

In a drunken rage, Petcka mutilated former girlfriend Lisa Altobelli's 8-pound orange and white tabby because he believed she loved her cat more than him. An ASPCA investigator said Norman suffered smashed ribs and teeth. His internal injuries were so severe, his lungs filled with blood.

Rather than strike a deal, prosecutors ought to demand a retrial and seek maximum penalties allowed by law — including incarceration and fines. Petcka requires intensive anger management counseling and should be barred from contact with animals.

Please don't resolve a felony aggravated animal cruelty case with mere probation. A plea deal is particularly negligent. As you know, Petcka allegedly abused both animal and human victims in his past.

When the justice system excuses blatant cruelty, it perpetuates the cycle of violence. Men prosecuted for animal cruelty are five times as likely to be arrested for other violent crimes, according to Utah State University professor Frank Ascione. Even the FBI red flags animal abuse when profiling homicidal criminals and their potential for recurring violence.

Joseph Petcka poses a risk to animals and humans. Thank you for recognizing the gravity of his crime and punishing him to the fullest degree.

Sincerely,

EASILY PERSONALIZE AND SEND COMMENTS NOW

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Animal abuse cases are TIME-SENSITIVE — depending upon the nature of a crime as well as court arraignment, hearing, and sentencing date. To check the status of a case before writing, search the Animal Abuse Crime Database for updates. Many animal cruelty cases (but not all) are on file here: http://www.pet-abuse.com/database/