Mans conviction in cat killing upheld

BY ART BUKOWSKI
abukowski@record-eagle.com

July 03, 2009 11:10 pm

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KALKASKA -- An appeals court upheld the conviction of a man who killed his roommate's cat during a violent domestic dispute.

A Kalkaska County jury in 2007 convicted Martin Randolph Minix of unlawful imprisonment, killing, torturing or maiming an animal and use of a controlled substance, all felonies. A judge sentenced him to a minimum of 19 years in prison.

Minix, 32, appealed his convictions, alleging errors in testimony, jury instruction and sentencing. The state Court of Appeals found no grounds for his claims.

"That's a good outcome," Kalkaska County Prosecutor Brian Donnelly said. "He was just a horrible guy, no question."

The charges stem from a 12-hour altercation between Minix and a woman with whom he shared a home. He took the woman's keys and phone and prevented her from leaving or making a phone call, and at one point forced her into a small windowless bathroom, according to court documents.

She kicked her way out, but Minix then tried to bind her hands and feet with a phone cord as she struggled. He knocked her to the floor and choked her, leaving red marks on her neck.

He then grabbed her cat by its head, lifted it over his head and slammed it on the floor. The cat had to be euthanized, and a veterinarian testified the animal had a fractured pelvis, spine displacement and other serious injuries.

"Animal lovers and decent people everywhere should be horrified that someone would do that," Donnelly said.

Minix argued in his appeal that the veterinarian's testimony was hearsay. He also said he was given an improper sentence under state sentencing guidelines, and that a judge improperly instructed the jury before their deliberations.

The appeals court upheld the conviction, but ordered a correction on Minix' sentencing documents because the wrong charge was recorded in one instance.

Minix, described by Donnelly as a "serious criminal," has prior convictions for drug possession, breaking and entering and fleeing and eluding a police officer, state records show.