17-04-2025
Convicted cat killer faces new accusations
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Sioux Falls man, on probation for killing cats in Brookings, is back behind bars. This time he's accused of killing kittens in Sioux Falls.
We first told you about Cory D. Martinson in 2023, when he was arrested and accused of strangling three cats in Brookings County.
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He pleaded guilty in February of 2024 and received a suspended sentence, meaning he didn't have to go to prison as long as he stayed out of trouble.
Five months later, in July of 2024, an affidavit says Martinson violated probation by taking care of a cat and five or six kittens for homeless woman in Sioux Falls.
… when she contacted Martinson to pick up her adult cat and kittens Martinson stated that the mother cat had ate her kittens and that the mother cat then went missing.'
Affidavit
On July 12th, 2024 the court document says he contacted the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society and said, his cats were in dire need of medical attention.
'In the shelter's notes it states that Martinson was very angry throughout the entire conversation and that he was yelling, swearing and talking fast.'
Affidavit
When he was later asked what happened to the cats, Martinson admitted killing four of kittens. The court document says the mother cat and the surviving kitten had such serious injuries that Sioux Falls Animal Control said they had to be put down.
On Wednesday, a Brookings County Judge revoked Martinson's suspended sentence. On Thursday, he was transferred to prison. That's where he will wait until his next hearing at the Minnehaha County Courthouse.
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