Tyree Smith, a Connecticut man found not guilty because of insanity for the 2011 killing and partial cannibalism of Angel Gonzalez, has been granted conditional release, according to the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board.
The decision, announced on Friday, has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and the victim’s family, reigniting debates over public safety and rehabilitation in cases involving severe mental illness.
Smith was confined to Whiting Forensic Hospital in 2013 after a three-judge panel determined he was not criminally responsible for the gruesome murder.
He had confessed to killing Gonzalez with an axe in Bridgeport, consuming parts of his brain and an eyeball at a nearby cemetery. His cousin testified during the trial that Smith believed consuming the organs would provide spiritual insight.
The PSRB approved Smith’s release after reviewing his clinical progress. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Caren Teitelbaum testified that Smith’s schizophrenia and substance use disorders are in full remission due to consistent medication and therapy.
She described him as a stabilising presence for other patients and noted that he had shown no signs of violent tendencies or hallucinations for years.
The conditional release requires Smith to remain under strict supervision, adhere to his treatment plan, and continue receiving mental health services.
Under the terms of conditional release, Smith will transition from hospital confinement to a community setting with structured oversight.
Officials said he had already spent nine months at a supervised community facility without incident. However, this decision has sparked outrage among state GOP lawmakers and Gonzalez’s family.
Senators Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding issued a joint statement condemning the release as “outrageous” and “mind-boggling,” arguing it jeopardizes public safety.
“This terrible decision sends yet another harmful message to Connecticut’s violent crime victims and their families,” they wrote.
Talitha Frazier, Gonzalez’s sister-in-law, expressed fears that Smith could re-offend, asking, “How do we really know he’s not going to do this again?”
The PSRB defended its decision by reiterating its mandate to prioritise rehabilitation over punishment for individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The board stated that conditional releases are carefully monitored to ensure both public safety and continued treatment compliance.
Smith attended the hearing virtually but was not shown on video due to safety concerns stemming from media coverage.
While his exact timeline for reintegration into the community remains undisclosed, officials confirmed that he will continue under close watch as part of his release conditions.
