On Wednesday, the judge refused to lower the bond for the man, Axel Salemi. Salemi is being accused of killing a seven-week-old kitten his mother took in. His mother runs an animal rescue out of their home in Crystal Lake, a Chicago suburb.
Salemi, who was charged about two weeks ago, is facing felony aggravated animal cruelty and criminal damage charges to a domesticated animal.
Grant Tucker, Salemi’s attorney, asked the court to reduce Salemi’s bond to $10,000 from $20,000. He said if his client was released on bond, then Salemi would go to his grandfather’s house in Chicago, and he would receive psychiatric counselling.
Salemi and his sister argued over a bong, a pipe used to smoke marijuana, and she allegedly refused to return it back to him.
Police were told by Salemi that he crushed the kitten out of anger, and he said he would kill another kitten if he didn’t get his bong back.
Donna, Salemi’s mother, said she felt her son was not a danger to the family. Prosecutors said Donna called the State’s Attorney Office and said she was relieved her son killed an animal and not a family member.
Tucker said Salemi is a young man, and with him being confined, it may do more harm than good.
