In a shocking move that defies logic and justice, Connecticut’s Psychiatric Security Review Board has green lit the conditional release of Tyree Smith, a man who brutally murdered and cannibalized his victim in 2011. The decision, made in a state notorious for its leniency on violent crime, has sparked outrage among victims’ families and lawmakers alike.

• Tyree Smith, dubbed the “Cannibal Killer,” was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 2011 axe murder and cannibalism of Angel Gonzalez.
• After serving just 10 years of a 60-year psychiatric committal, Smith will now be allowed supervised releases into the community.
• Republican lawmakers and the victim’s family have condemned the decision, calling it a threat to public safety and a slap in the face to justice.

A gruesome crime and a broken system

In January 2012, the decomposing body of 43-year-old Angel Gonzalez was discovered in an abandoned building in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The scene was nothing short of horrifying: Gonzalez’s face and head bore severe wounds, and pieces of his skull and brain matter were missing. The perpetrator, Tyree Smith, later admitted to not only bludgeoning Gonzalez with an axe but also consuming parts of his victim’s body, including an eyeball and brain matter.

Smith’s cousin, Nicole Rabb, recounted the chilling details to investigators. She told police that Smith had arrived at her home in December 2011, covered in blood and carrying an axe. He confessed to the murder and cannibalism, describing the taste of Gonzalez’s eyeball as “like an oyster.” Despite the gruesome nature of the crime, Smith was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2012 and committed to Connecticut Valley Hospital for 60 years.

Fast forward to 2024, and Smith is now set to walk free under supervised release. The decision, made by the Connecticut Psychiatric Security Review Board, has left many questioning the state’s priorities.

A “joy” to be around?

During Friday’s hearing, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Caren Teitelbaum testified that Smith has been a “joy” to work with and a “calming presence” for other patients. She emphasized that Smith has not experienced psychosis, delusions, or violent urges in the past seven years and has shown remorse for his actions.

“He has a lot of remorse about what has happened,” Teitelbaum said. But for Gonzalez’s family, remorse is not enough. Talitha Frazier, Gonzalez’s sister-in-law, spoke on behalf of the family, expressing their deep concerns about Smith’s release.

“How do we really know he’s not going to do this again?” Frazier asked the board. She revealed that the family was unaware of previous hearings where Smith’s restrictions were loosened and had they known, they would have vehemently opposed them. Frazier also questioned the reliability of Smith’s mental health evaluations, suggesting that he could be lying to doctors about the absence of “voices” in his head to secure his release.

Republican lawmakers slam the decision

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Connecticut’s Republican lawmakers, who argue that it prioritizes the rights of a violent offender over public safety.

“Outrageous. Mind-boggling,” said State Sens. Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding in a joint statement. “This individual killed and ate part of his victim and was found not guilty by reason of insanity. His victim’s family raised objections about his release. What about them? Where is the justice for them?”

The senators added, “This terrible decision puts public safety in jeopardy and is yet another terrible message to send to CT violent crime victims and their families. This person should never be out. We are dumbfounded at this injustice.”

The release of Tyree Smith is not just a failure of justice; it is a dangerous precedent that undermines public trust in the legal and mental health systems. Connecticut, a state already criticized for its lax approach to violent crime, has once again demonstrated its willingness to prioritize the rehabilitation of offenders over the safety and well-being of its citizens.

The decision also raises troubling questions about the effectiveness of psychiatric evaluations and the reliability of “conditional release” programs. While the board claims that Smith will remain under strict supervision, the reality is that no amount of oversight can guarantee the safety of the community.

Sources include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

X.com

Enoch, Brighteon.ai