Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cat Killer Speaks Out as Retrial Remains Possible
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2008
Modified Sep 30, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2008
Modified Sep 30, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Joseph Petcka, whose trial for animal cruelty ended in a mistrial, has been making the rounds with the media to work on his image. He appeared on the Today Show and Inside Edition, where he said, "I hope there's something I can do in this lifetime that will make them see that I'm a person that loves animals."
Petcka, a 205-pound former minor league player in the Mets farm system and now aspiring actor, kicked his then-girlfriend's 7-pound declawed cat so badly that the cat died of extensive injuries--broken ribs, broken teeth, lacerate tongue, a chest full of blood. Eleven jurors believed that Petcka deliberately wanted to hurt the cat (prosecutors suggested Petcka was jealous of the cat and took his anger at his girlfriend out on the feline), while one juror held out, believing that Petcka did not intend to hurt the animal. (Petcka says he's thankful for that one juror.)
Petcka's defense lawyer Charles Hochbaum sought to clear up nuances of the case with Today's Matt Lauer, "We’ve never suggested this is self-defense. What we suggested is this was a bad reaction to a bad situation. What the law … requires is depraved and sadistic conduct, which was never present in this case.” Hochbaum added that the charge was "ridiculous."
The Manhattan DA's office says it's considering its option, including a retrial. Petcka is back to waiting tables and told Lauer, “I love New York. I’ve always been a big fan of it. This is one incident that happened that I can’t take back, and I feel extremely sorry that this happened. It was not a fun situation.”
Tagged
animal cruelty
cat
cat killer
cat killing
joseph petcka
norman
Norman the cat
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .