We have a new petition that builds on our first campaign below. Despite 36,000 signatures on our first petition, Thomas Martel served zero days. Now we are going after the law that made it possible, and we need your help.
JIB_Complaint_Judge_Kanter_Arnold✅ 19,217 additional verified signatures are NOT reflected in the current count. Approximate verified total: 36,724 signatures and growing.
Chicago, IL – A 22-year-old Chicago man is facing multiple charges for aggravated animal cruelty and animal torture for killing numerous kittens, who were all named Shelly. According to the Chicago Police Department, Thomas William Martel intentionally tortured and killed the kittens; some of them were squeezed to death, others drowned, and some were even killed in a microwave.
It was Martel’s girlfriend who reported the depraved killings to the authorities. According to prosecutors, the sadistic kitten killer admitted to his girlfriend that “he enjoyed killing cats and he had been like that since he was eight years old.”
The serial kitten killer allegedly acquired his victims via Craigslist, purposefully selecting kittens that looked similar to keep his mom from discovering his sadistic activity.
At the bail hearing, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Dale-Schmidt recounted how three kittens died, according to the accused man’s girlfriend: “Martel told her that he had killed three cats in the microwave and put them in the pantry.” Officers who were called to Martel’s apartment were told by the girlfriend to check the pantry…they discovered a bag containing parts of “multiple” kittens.”
Martel was booked into the Cook County jail on Tuesday; he is scheduled to appear in court next week. He is charged with six felonies, four for aggravated cruelty to animals and two for animal torture.
Martel has admitted to enjoying cat killing since he was a child. An excerpt from a U.S. Department of Justice article details why animal cruelty cases must be taken seriously:
“Researchers have connected children’s abuse of animals to bullying, aggression, school shootings, and sexual abuse. Through these activities, children who feel powerless torment their own victims to gain a sense of control and power for themselves. Moreover, FBI research indicates that most serial killers, school shooters, and mass murderers tortured animals as children.
Intentional Animal Torture and Cruelty is the gateway to acts of extreme, remorseless violence, and must be as vigorously addressed as any other crime.”
If you are disgusted by this man’s sickening obsession with torturing and killing kittens, please add your name to the petition today! Martel MUST be stopped before he can kill again.
We, the undersigned, demand that Thomas Martel be held responsible for torturing and killing multiple kittens. We are petitioning for Martel to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for the charges stemming from his ongoing, sadistic behavior. We also hope that, during the sentencing, Martel will be prohibited from owning or residing with animals in the future. Furthermore, we request that Martel undergo a comprehensive mental health evaluation and receive appropriate professional treatment for his mental health.
Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
News
Update: In response to Thomas Martel’s release, animal advocates have formed the Shelly’s Law Coalition to push for stronger animal cruelty laws in Illinois. The coalition is seeking legislation that would prevent offenders convicted of felony animal torture from receiving prison sentence credit for time spent on pretrial home electronic monitoring and would strengthen sentencing in cases involving multiple animal victims by ensuring each victim is recognized. The coalition will officially launch at a public rally on August 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Wescott Park in Northbrook, where supporters will begin promoting a petition through the upcoming Shelly’s Law website.
UPDATE 6/24/2026: Failed by the courts! Read the synopsis of what happened and why here: Demand_Letter_Shelly_Kitten_Killer Final Chicago
Animal Victory’s complaint to: The Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board
IN A NUTSHELL:
Feel free to email all of them with your thoughts. Shelly sentence (1)
StatesAttorney@CookCountySAO.org; karan.baltazar@cookcountysao.org; skokiecourtroom108-StatesAttorney@cookcountysao.org; Skokiedist2crimservices@cookcountycourt.com; cccwebsite@cookcountycourt.com; press@cityofchicago.org; info@tonipreckwinkle.org; cookcounty.board@cookcountyil.gov; tara.stamps@cookcountyil.gov; michael.scott@cookcountyil.gov; bill.lowry@cookcountyil.gov; stanley.moore@cookcountyil.gov; Kisha.McCaskill@cookcountyil.gov; donna.miller@cookcountyil.gov; alma.anaya@cookcountyil.gov; jessica.vasquez@cookcountyil.gov; maggie.trevor@cookcountyil.gov; bridget.gainer@cookcountyil.gov; john.daley@cookcountyil.gov; bridget.degnen@cookcountyil.gov; josina.morita@cookcountyil.gov; scott.britton@cookcountyil.gov; kevin.morrison@cookcountyil.gov; frank.aguilar@cookcountyil.gov; sean.morrison@cookcountyil.gov; aquino.senate2il@gmail.com; will@repguzzardi.com; info@the1stward.com; Ward01@cityofchicago.org
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Cook County State’s Attorney (Eileen O’Neill Burke)
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1
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Assistant State’s Attorneys (Baltazar confirmed + 2 case-specific emails)
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4
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Judge Sharon Kanter (via court clerk)
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1
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Mayor of Chicago (Brandon Johnson)
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1
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Cook County Board President (Toni Preckwinkle)
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1
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Cook County Board Master Email
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1
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Cook County Commissioners (Districts 1–17)
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17
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Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino
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1
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Illinois State Rep Will Guzzardi
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1
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Chicago Alderman Daniel La Spata (2 emails)
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2
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Total
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30
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We have a new petition that builds on our first campaign below. Despite 36,000 signatures on our first petition, Thomas Martel served zero days. Now we are going after the law that made it possible, working hand in hand with Garrido’s Stray Rescue, and we need your help.
Update: Defendant Thomas Martel, Case #23CR0852301. Jury trial has been scheduled Update June 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Sharon Arnold Kanter. Location CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108
Update 5/08/2026: Motion for Continuance by Defense Attorney. Status hearing scheduled for May 20th, 2026, before Judge Sharon Arnold Kanter, Resource: Location CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108Resource: Location D2ADDR 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077. Defendant Thomas Martel, Case #23CR0852301
Update 4/21/2026: Status hearing has been rescheduled for 05/08/2026 at 9:30 a.m. Defendant Thomas Martel, Case #23CR0852301 before Judge Sharon Arnold Kanter.
Update 3/09/2026: The next appearance for Thomas Martel, Case #23CR0852301 is on 04/21/2026 at 9:30 a.m. Status hearing. 06/08/2026 is reserved for a jury trial.
Update 1/16/2026: Defendant Thomas Martel. A motion for continuance was submitted. The next status hearing is scheduled for 03/06/2026 at 9:30 a.m. Case #23CR0852301. Resource: Location CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108, Resource: Location D2ADDR 5600, Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL, 60077
Update 12/16/2025: There has been a Motion for Continuance. Rescheduled to 1/16/2025, 9:30 a.m. Case #23CR0852301. Resource: Location CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108Resource: Location D2ADDR 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
Update 10/30/2025: The prosecuting attorney has requested a continuance and to reset the trial date for Martel due to overlapping criminal cases on the State’s schedule. The date of 12/15/2025 is now a motion hearing and the trial date will be rescheduled.
Update 10/20/2025: Defendant Thomas Martel, Case #23CR0852301. There is a motion to reconsider/status hearing scheduled on 10/28/2025 at 9:30 a.m. The date of 12/15/2025 has been reserved for a jury trial.
Update 9/30/2025: Defendant Thomas Martel, Case #23CR0852301. Jury trial is scheduled for October 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Location CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108 Resource: Location D2ADDR 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
Update 8/20/2025: Judge Stuker-Dermer ruled that all of the evidence is relevant. However, any objections to the video evidence must be submitted no later than 09/02/2025. The next status hearing is 09/29/2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Update 7/15/2025: Martel’s Defense has requested a motion to strike the State’s Motion for a Pre-Trial Evidentiary Ruling. The judge will rule on this motion on August 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM. Judicial Officer: Shelley Sutker-Dermer. Courtroom: CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108 Address: 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
Update 5/12/2025: Next Status Hearing scheduled on 06/17/2025 at 9:30 AM. Resource: Location CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108, D2ADDR 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
Update 5/11/2025: A status hearing was held on the 9th, but there has been no update yet regarding the future hearing. Case #23CR0852301.
Update 5/6/2025: Sent petition to the judge and DA with updated signatures.
Update 4/17/2025: A motion for a continuance was made on 04/15/2024. Therefore, the next status hearing is scheduled for May 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
Update 3/27/2025: Thomas Martel now faces nine felony charges, up from six.
His bond is set at $75,000, and his next court date is April 8.
Update 3/21/2025: Status hearing – 04/08/2025(9:30 AM) Resource: Location CR5702 D2, Courtroom 108Resource: Location D2ADDR 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
Update 3/6/2025: The next status hearing for Thomas Martell is 03/21/2025 at 9:00 AM. Martell is living with his family and is wearing an electronic monitoring device. We are told that the family had to get rid of all of their pets when Martell moved in with them.
Update 2/2/2025: Animal Victory sent a petition to the DA with updated signatures.
Update 1/12/2025: Animal Victory sent a petition to the DA with updated signatures.
Update 12/13/2024: The next status hearing for Thomas Martell is scheduled for January 17, 2025.
Update 12/7/2024: Animal Victory sent a petition to the Judge and DA with updated signatures.
Update 10/30/2024: Thomas Martell, Case 23CR0852301 Third Status Hearing, 12/10/2024 at 9:30 AM EST, District 2, Room 108. 10 Felony Charges of animal cruelty. Martell is under Electronic GPS monitoring.
Update 8/15/2024: Animal Victory sent a petition to the Judge and DA with updated signatures.
Update 7/31/2024: There is an upcoming status hearing on this case scheduled for 09/05/2024 in room 108 at 9:30 AM. The status hearing is simply a status on where the case sits currently.
Update 7/1/2024: A continuance was requested at the hearing on June 4, 2024. The hearing is continued, and the next court date is July 17th at 9:30 AM in Courtroom 108, Skokie, IL.
Update 5/20/2024: Animal Victory sent a petition to the Judge and DA with updated signatures.
Update 3/5/2024:Thomas Martell’s next court appearance is on 3/20/2024 at 9:30 AM in Room 108 in Skokie, IL.
Update 12/28/2023: The hearing is completed. Discovery has been completed, and Thomas Martell bonded out. The next hearing is January 29th, 2024, in District 2, Skokie, IL—address: 5600 Old Orchard Rd, Skokie, IL 60077. The State Attorneys office has assured us they are taking this case very seriously. Please continue to sign and share.
Update 11/20/2023: Thomas Martell has a new case #23CR0852301. New Court Date is 12/19/2023 at 9:30 AM in District 2, Skokie, IL.
Update 10/4/2023: Thomas William Martel has been moved back to Skokie. He has had his charges increased to 10 felony charges. Five counts of animal torture and five counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. He had a status hearing on October 4, 2023, and his next hearing is scheduled for November 6 at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 108, located in Skokie, IL.
Branch 44, Felony Preliminary Hearings
3150 West Flournoy Street, 1st Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Phone: (773) 265-8915
Update 10/02/2023: Animal Victory sent a petition to the Judge and DA.
Update 7/24/2023: Animal Victory has learned that Thomas Martel’s court date is scheduled for 8/4/2023. Court Location Branch 44. Martel Inmate Roster (1)
Defendant: Thomas William Martel
Case # 23110928701
Booking # 20230711123
Cook County IL
Branch 44
3150 West Flournoy Street, 1st Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Phone: (773) 265-8915
The current signature count does not include 19,217 verified signatures collected prior to our website update.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused children seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused animals seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused animals seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
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