‘Bridgeport Cannibal Killer’ Is Granted a Conditional Release in What Some Lawmakers Call a ‘Mind-Boggling’ Decision

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyree Smith in court on Feb. 1, 2012.Photo:Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP

Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP

A Connecticut man known as the “Bridgeport Cannibal Killer” has been granted a conditional release, according to multiple reports.

Smith was initially placed on temporary leave status, in which patients reside in the hospital but are granted additional privileges on the grounds and receive some outpatient services within the community. The conditional release means he will technically be discharged from the hospital — but he must adhere to structured supervision and maintain specific mental health services and requirements, per NBC-CT.

“He has maintained clinical stability. Adhered to the medications and continued to engage in group and substance abuse treatment,” said Dr. Caren Teitelbaum, a forensic psychiatrist, during the hearing, per local outletWSFB.“He also denied visual hallucinations and a desire to harm others or himself.”

“To quote the director there [at the hospital], he is a joy,” she continued. “He is considered a support to the other people there. Once he was stable he was a really calming presence for other patients.”

Gavel (stock image).Getty

Getty

Some members of the community — including several Republican lawmakers — have voiced their displeasure with the board’s decision.

In a sharedpublic statementposted on the on the Connecticut Senate Republican’s official website, state Sens. Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin and Stephen Harding described the decision as “outrageous” and “mind-boggling.”

The statement continued: “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. In what universe is this okay?”

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Additionally, Gonzalez’s sister-in-law, Talitha Frazier, attended the hearing and voiced concerns on behalf of the victim’s family.

“How do we really know he’s not going to do this again?” she asked the board, according to theAssociated Press.

source: people.com