San Jose

Accused San Jose Cat Killer Pleads Not Guilty

Robert Farmer faces 10 felony animal abuse charges and one misdemeanor for being under the influence of meth.

A man accused of killing and torturing cats in the South Bay pleaded not guilty Thursday morning.

Prosecutors say Robert Farmer killed four cats and abused several others in San Jose's Cambrian neighborhood. He faces 10 felony animal abuse charges and one misdemeanor for being under the influence of meth when he was arrested on Oct. 8.

Farmer is accused of killing at least four cats and torturing several others. Court documents also reveal Farmer may have sexually abused one of the cats, which Farmer's defense attorney denies, calling the claim "a speculation."

In court Thursday morning, there were gasps and some tears when Farmer's lawyer entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. Outside the courthouse, Miriam Petrova stood alongside animal lovers and called for justice for her cat, Gogo. Prosecutors claim Farmer can be seen on surveillance video trying to catch Gogo in the front yard of a San Jose home.

"We never found Gogo," Petrova said. "We couldn't have closure because of him."

Standing beside Petrova in solidarity, Myriam Martinez said she's fighting on behalf of Thumper, a cat found beaten to death. Martinez said of the suspect she's "angry for what he's caused."

If convicted, Farmer could face more than eight years in prison.

Deputy district attorney Alexander Ellis said it's possible more charges could filed against Farmer.

"We've been doing what we can to make sure all the evidence is processed and all charges are brought against him for every act we can prove," he said.

Farmer is due back in court in May.

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