Serial Cat Abuser Faces Jail, Could Have Sentence Lessened

Last week, serial cat killer and animal abuser Ethan Weibman pled guilty to crimes of cruelty to animals. Despite the horrific nature of the crimes he committed, Weibman and his legal team might actually be able to have his time behind bars reduced before his February sentencing.

Weibman's saga of serial cat abusing began in March of 2001. At the time, Weibman was living in Baltimore with his girlfriend, who adopted a cat named Lucy from the Baltimore Maryland SPCA. Two days later, however, Weibman brought Lucy's dead body back to the shelter, claiming to have no idea why the cat died. The shelter considered the cat's death suspicious, and contacted authorities about the matter.

Lucy's cause of death was later determined to be wounds inflicted from a bb gun, and Weibman was arrested on charges of animal cruelty soon after.

Two weeks later, Weibman continued on with his estranged ways when he adopted another cat named Lola from a local PetSmart. Just a few hours later, he brought the cat to a local veterinarian after the cat suffered severe bleeding and hemorrhaging. The vet, who found his story once again suspicious, contacted PetSmart, who disputed Weibman's claims about how the cat had been injured. Authorities were contacted, and Lola was not returned to him.

Along with the charges of animal cruelty connected with the death of Lucy and Lola's serious injuries, Weibman is under suspicion for the mysterious deaths of four other cats he previously owned, and injuries to yet another cat he had in his possession. Concerns of more acts of cruelty to cats have been brought to the attention of authorities, but these claims remain unsubstantiated.

Despite the heinous nature of the crimes, Weibman's legal team is pulling all the tricks that they can to try and have his sentence reduced.

Ronald Kurland, Weibman's attorney, informed District Judge Charles A. Chiapparelli that his client is seeing a psychiatrist three times a week. Since Weibman is facing three years in jail, this may be a strategic move to lessen the sentence, or reduce it to counseling and probation. 

Currently, Weibman is out on bail. Judge Chiapparelli ordered him to have no contact with animals.

Anyone wishing to help justice prevail may sign the petition addressed to Maryland's Attorney General. The petition will also be forwarded to the presiding Judge.

Do you think a three-year sentence for these crimes of animal cruelty is sufficient? Share your views in a comment.