A Flatlands father and son accused of beating a black cat to death inside their E. 39th Street home have been indicted on animal cruelty charges — but the family attorney says his clients will be vindicated of all charges.
A witness told police that he was inside his third-floor apartment on the dead-end street near Avenue I at around 4:15 am when he heard a noise coming from the suspect’s apartment.
Looking out his window, the witness saw suspects Jean Rog Murat, 60, and his son Robenson Murat thrashing the cat with a stick, according to court records.
Police claim that one of the two suspects placed the murdered feline inside a plastic bag, dumping the carcass on nearby street corner.
The witness called police, who notified the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Members from the group’s Humane Law Enforcement department received a warrant to search the apartment, where they found cat fibers, blood, and a broken stick, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes.
Hynes was quick to slap charges on the alleged familial feline killers, saying cruelty to animals is often a prelude to violence against humans.
“It is often a pre-cursor to domestic violence and is known to be early evidence of potential serial killing,” Hynes said.
But defense attorney Frederick Schurr says the charges filed against them are unfounded.
“They will be proven innocent by the end of the case,” Schurr said. “The case was adjourned to Jan. 25, 2013, which shows how important the judge thought this case is.”
Reach reporter Colin MIxson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.
