Bridgeport Cannibal: Shocking Release Stuns Community
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Tyree Smith, the man infamously dubbed the “Bridgeport Cannibal Killer,” has been granted a conditional release after spending years in a state hospital following the gruesome murder of Angel Gonzalez back in 2012. For anyone who might not be familiar, Smith was found not guilty by reason of insanity, a ruling that has since sparked relentless debate and disbelief among lawmakers and the public.
The Connecticut Psychiatric Security Review Board made this controversial decision on February 22, after a hearing where it was reported that Smith has maintained stability in his mental health treatment. Dr. Caren Teitelbaum, a forensic psychiatrist who testified at the hearing, highlighted that Smith had been adhering to his medication and actively participated in both group and substance abuse therapy. She described him as a “joy” and a calming presence to fellow patients. “He has denied visual hallucinations and has shown no desire to harm anyone,” she noted.
But not everyone is buying it. Local Republican lawmakers are up in arms over this decision. In a fiery public statement, state Senators Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding labeled the board’s choice as “outrageous” and “mind-boggling.” Their passionate response underscores a notable tension around public safety, with concerns that releasing someone convicted of such a brutal crime could send the wrong message to victims and their families. “In what universe is this okay?” they exclaimed, expressing disbelief that someone with a history of cannibalism would be deemed fit for release.
Gonzalez’s family hasn’t been quiet either. Talitha Frazier, his sister-in-law, attended the hearing and raised a critical point: “How do we really know he’s not going to do this again?” A question that looms large for many as Smith prepares to navigate life outside the confines of the hospital, albeit under structured supervision.
This case is just one of many instances where the intersection of mental health awareness and public safety creates a complex and often unsettling dialogue. As mental health conversations evolve, so too do the stakes for both victims’ families and those deemed “cured.”
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, NPR, WSFB, Associated Press
