Paul Wicker

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, MI -- A Boyne City man will spend nine months in jail for spray painting a kitten's face and body.

Paul Wicker, 40, will have three months shaved off his sentence if he completes a cognitive behavioral program while behind bars, Charlevoix County Circuit Court Judge Roy C. Hayes III said during sentencing Friday, June 10, records show.

Wicker pleaded guilty to attempted killing or torturing an animal for the abuse case involving a stray kitten found in Boyne City in October.

The cat, who was later given the name Murphy, was found with so much red-orange paint on his body that his rescuers clipped off parts of his fur so he could move and lie down. The paint was thickest on his face.

Veterinarians amputated the kitten's tail due to several broken bones and an infection. Most of his body had to be shaved.

The case sparked outrage and sympathy from animal lovers, with many stepping forward with offers to adopt the cat.

Wicker was originally charged with misdemeanor cruelty to an animal and threatening to kill or injure a witness, a felony charge. Those charges were dismissed in the plea deal.

Police said he threatened a witness to the animal cruelty after she spoke to police.

"He allegedly yelled to a co-worker, in the presence of the witness, 'I want her dead,' or 'I'm going to kill her,'" Prosecutor Allen Telgenhof said in October.

Murphy made a full recovery and was adopted by a Boyne City woman who said he's "frisky" and "full of love."

Angie Jackson covers crime and breaking news for MLive. Email her at ajackso3@mlive.com, and follow her on Twitter.