Warning Signs Unveiled as Connecticut Cannibal Approaches Release from Psychiatric Facility

Recent documents from a Connecticut prison have shed light on Tyree Smith, infamously known as the “Connecticut Cannibal.” These reports reveal troubling instances of violent behavior while he was incarcerated, highlighting significant concerns about his impending release.

In a chilling account, Smith admitted to the brutal murder of a homeless man, Angel Gonzalez, in 2011. He also confessed to consuming parts of the victim’s body in a cemetery, which grimly underscored his violent actions.

In 2013, a panel of three judges declared Smith not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of Gonzalez. Consequently, he was committed to Connecticut Valley Hospital for a period of 60 years, deemed unfit to be among the general population.

This February, the Nutmeg State’s Psychiatric Security Review Board granted Smith a conditional release. This decision enables him to leave Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, but he will remain under strict supervision and continue to receive mental health services.

Smith has been residing in a community facility since the release, where he is subject to stringent conditions, therapy, and round-the-clock monitoring. Some reports suggest he has shown signs of rehabilitation, which raises questions about the safety of this decision.

According to Smith’s doctor, he appears to have made progress, adhering to his medication regimen aimed at managing his psychosis and auditory hallucinations. Forensic psychiatrist Caren Teitelbaum emphasized Smith’s transformation, describing him as a calming influence within the facility.

“He has maintained clinical stability. He is engaging well in group therapy and substance abuse treatment,” Teitelbaum said, pointing to Smith’s reported lack of visual hallucinations or harmful impulses toward himself or others.

Concerns Arise from Prison Violence Records

Yet, contrasting views emerge from newly released prison documents, which portray Smith as a potentially dangerous individual. These records reveal a series of violent confrontations during his time in prison, undermining claims of his rehabilitation.

In April 2013, while at the Garner Correctional Facility, Smith’s violent tendencies emerged unexpectedly. An altercation with another inmate prompted staff to separate him from the prison population due to concerns surrounding his unpredictable anger.

Documents indicate Smith inititated a fight after perceiving provocation, resulting in a physical assault that left the other inmate unresponsive. This incident raised alarm bells regarding Smith’s mental state and his capacity for violence.

Talitha Frazier, Gonzalez’s sister-in-law, expressed deep concern over Smith’s release. She remarked, “It angers me, and it shocks me, because the whole time you’re in jail, you’re pleading insanity, yet you’re still doing something violent to another person.” Her remarks underscore the anxiety felt by the victim’s family regarding Smith’s return to society.

A Pattern of Violence and Threats

The prison documents further emphasized Smith’s volatile history. Authorities determined that he posed a significant danger to others, resulting in his placement in segregation after the brawl.

Smith’s history of violence and threats is alarming. In January 2012, just one month after Gonzalez’s horrifying murder, his body was discovered brutally mutilated in a vacant apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Eyewitness accounts from family members paint a terrifying picture of Smith’s confessions of cannibalism and forewarning of violence.

Nicole Rabb, one of Smith’s cousins, testified that he had claimed to consume part of Gonzalez’s brain and an eyeball while consuming sake. The weight of her testimony calls into question the safety of permitting Smith back into the community.

Hours before Gonzalez was murdered, Smith had ominously warned his cousin about his intention to kill someone, raising further alarms among those who know him.

Opposition to Conditional Release

In light of Smith’s forthcoming release, critics have voiced their concerns strongly. Prominent figures, including Republican State Senator Paul Cicarella, articulated their worries over the safety implications of releasing a convicted murderer and cannibal.

Cicarella’s commentary emphasized the gravity of the situation: “Murder and cannibalism and release in the same sentence. That’s a problem. That’s concerning to me.” He, along with other Republican state senators, labeled the decision to release Smith as “outrageous” and “mind-boggling.”

In a joint statement, these lawmakers expressed their outrage: “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?” They contend that this decision endangers public safety and sends a dangerous message to victims of violent crime.

Questions Remain About Public Safety

With emotions running high, the Connecticut Department of Corrections has not responded to requests for comment regarding the release. The juxtaposition of Smith’s apparent rehabilitation against his documented history of violence raises significant questions about the judgment exercised in permitting his departure from a secure facility.

As this situation unfolds, the communities impacted by Smith’s actions remain anxious about the implications of his return to societal norms. Smith’s story serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in balancing rehabilitation with public safety.

The focus now shifts to ongoing monitoring and evaluation, as many grapple with the reality of living alongside a figure who has committed such heinous acts.