The case of a former minor league baseball player accused of beating and kicking to death his girlfriend’s cat during a drunken fury ended in a mistrial on Friday after the jurors could not reach a verdict.

Joseph Petcka, 37, a former minor league baseball player and actor, said he killed the cat in self defense. He overreacted and kicked the cat and flung him into the air after being lunged at and bitten on March 27, 2007, Petcka testified.  He said he never want to hurt the cat, named Norman.

Assistant District Attorney Leila Kermani argued that Petcka savaged the cat out of jealousy. Prosecutors said Joseph Petcka complained that his girlfriend, Sports Illustrated reporter Lisa Altobelli, loved the cat more than she loved him. The animal was fatally beaten and had multiple broken bones, broken teeth, a lacerated tongue and a chest full of blood.

Petcka was charged with aggravated animal cruelty and harassment for allegedly beating to death the 7-pound cat during a drunken fury after an argument with his then-girlfriend Lisa Altobelli.

Juror Doug Collman told reporters that the vote had been 11 to 1 in favor of conviction on aggravated animal cruelty, a felony carrying a prison term of up to two years. One juror held out for an acquittal, Collman said.

The judge ordered Petcka to return to court on October 23. The actor who once had a role in “Sex and the City,” was facing up to 2 years in prison if found guilty.