July 9, 2013 (GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill.) --
A Glendale Heights man is on trial for allegedly stabbing his pet bird to death and attacking his roommate.David Hritz has pleaded not guilty to charges of cruelty to an animal and domestic battery.
Prosecutors say last summer the 39-year-old repeatedly punched his roommate, then threw his pet cockatiel against a wall and stabbed it with a pocket knife.
Hritz has previously served jail time for theft and drug possession.