Jesus Stomped My Kitten to Death, But He Will Pay

Jesus Calderon-Franco of Redwood City pleaded no contest to felony abuse in December for killing the 4-month-old kitten named Pucci. Today, a judge sentenced him to a YEAR in jail for the stomping death and the cruelty to Pucci's 4-year-old owner. In addition to the YEAR in jail, Jesus was also sentenced to three years probation. In all likelihood, however, he will be deported after his jail sentence.

The feline murder happened on Nov. 30. Jesus, who had been drinking, became angry that the girl had drawn on the bathroom door in their apartment, Wagstaffe said. Jesus grabbed the kitten by the neck, squeezed the animal and threw it off the second-story balcony. He then went outside and stomped the kitten to death. The girl and her father were out shopping at the time. When they came home, Jesus denied doing anything to the kitten, Wagstaffe said. The girl's uncle saw the attack, however, and the father found blood on the sidewalk and the kitten dead in a nearby trash can. A necropsy revealed that Pucci had died of multiple fractures.

Now, here's my question: If stomping a defenseless kitty to death is worth a YEAR in jail, should we reassess the sentencing guidelines for all crimes in this country? I mean, I know it's a cute little kitty and all, but really? Don't some people get out of prison shortly after a year after killing a human being? Or what about Bernie Madoff? Kitten = year. Bilking billions = 9000 years. If this is the new "judgment calculus," then I think people who run red lights while I'm trying to legally cross the street deserve at least a month or two in prison--with gang members--and rats--and bad food--and Oprah.