Judge accepts plea deal for man who videotaped himself torturing, killing kitten

Robert Heckmann has pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals.

A judge accepted the plea on May 19, 2014 and sentencing was set for July 28, 2014.

KRDO NewsChannel 13’s Michelle San Miguel was in the courtroom when Heckmann entered the guilty plea. She reports that when he was asked why he pleaded guilty, Heckmann responded by saying “Because I strangled a cat.”

Heckmann’s original plea agreement was rejected by a judge in March after he spoke exclusively to KRDO NewsChannel 13 about the accusations.

Heckmann faces up to 18 months in prison. It will be up to the judge to decide on a sentence.

Heckmann was arrested in January after torturing and then strangling a 12-week-old kitten named Loki.

Heckmann recorded the crime and sent it to his girlfriend who called police.