[ WP ] You 've just been found guilty of murdering the man who killed your pet cat . Make your final statement to the judge - who can sentence you to time served or the death penalty .

`` I did what had to be done.'' I spoke with an icy glare on my face. The judge was bewildered. Why would anyone actually admit to something so petty? Really, murder for a simple cat? Who does that? But you see, it was n't *just a cat*. 
 
 `` Is that all you have to say for yourself?'' The judge questioned me. The older man had grey hair, where there was hair. It was mainly on his lower face, not much up top. But he had kind eyes. He realized that this was out of character for me. 
 
 I looked down. I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes as I spoke. 
 `` Sir, that man did n't just kill a cat. No, I personally do n't think I have the power to decide whether or not someone has the right to live or die for killing an animal. I love eating deer, cows, you get the gist. But you see, Mr. Kitty was n't just an animal. He was n't *just a cat*. He was my friend. He was family. He grew up with me. He was there for me when no one else was, and he loved me. 
 
 When I would come home from a long day after work, he would be there, waiting for me at the front door. He never whined. Once he killed a bird and left it on the front porch. I told him that as much as I appreciated his gift, that it was unnecessary. Never again did I find a dead animal around the house. 
 
 He would sleep in my bed. We'd watch tv together. He would go away when I wanted, and come back when I missed him. I would take him on walks. He never annoyed me. He was the perfect cat. He never bit anyone. He never went to a yard where he was n't invited. All of the neighbors loved him. 
 
 So, when I found out that man killed him. No, he murdered him, and the manner in which he did it. I broke down. It was as though the man killed my own blood kin. He certainly killed my best friend. He killed my only family. I lost it. I was n't thinking rationally. All I knew was that Mr. Kitty was gone. And if you saw the sick pleasure in that man's eyes, you would have done something insane too. 
 
 The way he smiled with all of his teeth showing. The maniacal laughter from his mouth. His eyes. Oh those eyes. It was like looking at the devil himself! He knew exactly what he did. And he loved that he did it. Just like a serial killer takes pride in murdering people, this man took pride in what he did to Mr. Kitty. 
 
 So, do what you want. I do n't care. I just know that sick man did n't deserve the happiness he got. Maybe I should have just seriously injured him instead of going all the way. Whatever. No one else will have to feel the pain that I did. At least, not from this man. I'm not sorry for what I did. But I did n't take pleasure in doing it either.'' I sat there, tears streaming down my face reminiscing the sight of my mangled cat, waiting for my fate. 
 
 I looked up and met eyes with the man's wife. I looked around her, no kids. I looked back at her. She knew what her husband did. And she could tell how much it hurt me. I could also tell that she knew something was wrong with her husband. She just never admitted it to herself. She still sat tall with her curly blonde hair, caked in make up. She was living in a dream. I almost felt bad for her. I wiped my tears as the judge began to speak.
