1 of 2 teens accused of beating 'Cat Man' pleads guilty

2 teens accused of beating Hamtramck man October 12

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – One of two teens accused of beating a Hamtramck man known as the "Cat Man" has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault to do great bodily harm less than murder.

The charges against 14-year-old DeVante Howard stem from the October 14th beating of Nick Veselenak. Veselenak is known for taking care of all the stray cats in throughout Hamtramck. He remains hospitalized at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

Howard will be sentenced November 26th.

A second teenager, 13-year-old Martell Dewberry, will be back in court on November 12th on charges of assault with the intent to do murder. He is being charged as an adult and could spend life in prison if convicted.

A prosecutor says the only motive they have been able to find is a thrill-beating -- beating a stranger for the thrill of it and no other reason.