A Connecticut man, who was declared insane after killing a homeless man and eating parts of his body, has been granted conditional release from a maximum-security psychiatric hospital. This decision has sparked outrage, with critics saying it puts public safety at risk.
The Crime
Tyree Smith was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the gruesome 2012 murder of Angel Gonzalez. He was accused of killing Gonzalez with a hatchet before eating parts of his brain and an eyeball while drinking sake. Gonzalez’s mutilated body was found in an abandoned apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a month after his death.
In 2013, Smith was ordered to remain in Whiting Forensic Hospital, a psychiatric facility, for up to 60 years due to his severe mental illness.
Controversial Release Decision
On Friday, the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board ruled that Smith could be conditionally released. A psychiatrist testified that his schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders were in remission thanks to medication and treatment.
Under conditional release, Smith will be placed in a supervised community setting with strict conditions, including continued treatment. Officials said that he had already been living in a fully supervised community facility for the past nine months, and the latest decision formally discharged him from the hospital.
Public and Political Backlash
Many, including lawmakers and the victim’s family, are outraged by the decision. Connecticut State Senators Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding strongly criticized it.
“This decision is outrageous and puts public safety in danger,” they said in a statement. “This person should never be released.”
Angel Gonzalez’s sister-in-law, Talitha Frazier, also voiced her fears. She worried that Smith could be hiding his mental illness and might be a threat again. “How do we really know he’s not going to do this again?” she asked during the hearing.
Safety Concerns and Media Attention
Smith, who has been called the “Cannibal Killer” in some media reports, attended the hearing virtually but was not shown on video due to safety concerns. His lawyer stated that press coverage had made the case highly sensitive.
Despite the strict supervision and treatment requirements, many believe that releasing Smith is a serious risk. The debate over whether mentally ill criminals should be reintegrated into society continues, as people fear that past violence could repeat itself.
