Joseph Petcka

New York actor Joseph Petcka faces cruelty charges for killing his girlfriend's cat. Lisa Altobelli claims that Petcka beat her pet cat Norman to death in a fit of jealousy. According to Altobelli's testimony, Petcka shouted "'You love that cat more than you love me'" before kicking Norman to death.¹ Petcka faces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, which if convicted, could send him to jail for two years.

As of September 23, 2008, jurors in the case were reportedly deadlocked after two days of deliberations.²

Fast Facts

Suspected of killing girlfriend's pet cat, Norman¹
Girlfriend, Lisa Altobelli, says Petcka killed cat out of jealousy¹
Charged with aggravated cruelty to animals¹
Former minor-league player for New York Mets¹
Appeared on two episodes of Sex and the City¹

Obsession

According to Altobelli's testimony, Petcka--who was unemployed and living in Altobelli's apartment--was "obsessed" with Norman and had written in his diary about his ongoing attempts to endear himself to the feline.³