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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Classic Forums Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Customer Service Advertise With Us Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map Email Story to a Friend August 12, 2005 Man committed for fatal kitten ‘exorcism’ A Medford man was committed to the state psychiatric hospital Thursday for stabbing, spray-painting and setting fire to his pet kitten. Jerry Lawrence McCray, 35, pleaded guilty but insane Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court to a charge of first-degree aggravated animal abuse. Circuit Court Judge Ray White ordered McCray to spend five years under the supervision of the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board. In an attempt to exorcise a gray, 10-week-old kitten named Cosmo, McCray stabbed it multiple times with a small knife that folds into a cross-shaped pendant, said Sarita Glassburner, deputy district attorney for Jackson County. He then sprayed it with olive drab paint and lit its head on fire. McCray thought the cat contained "Indian spirits," the prosecutor added. McCray was living in a North Ross Lane group home for the mentally disabled, Medford police said. A caregiver told officers on June 19 that McCray had killed his cat, which was found in some backyard brambles. McCray was admitted to Rogue Valley Medical Center’s psychiatric ward, released and arrested about a month later on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender. McCray’s five-year sentence under PSRB’s jurisdiction is his second following a 1995 arson conviction. Convicts receive treatment, medication and instruction on managing their illness. Many eventually are released back into their communities. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Online Casino Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary Advertisement s