Jury Acquits Fla. Teen of Killing Mom After He Claims Self-Defense. A Year Earlier, He Killed Dad in Self-Defense

Mar. 15, 2025

Collin Griffith.Photo:Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Photo of Collin Griffith

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

AFlorida teenwho authorities say killed hisfather in self-defense in 2023has been found not guilty of murdering his mother — after again claiming self-defense.

During his trial, Collin’s attorney argued that he had acted in self-defense during the incident and that there was no evidence Catherine was in the home of her mother, Susan Detman, against her will,Fox 13reported.

Detman testified during the trial that her daughter was unpredictable and that she had seen her be violent toward Collin,WTSPreported. Amy Porinchak Thornhill, Collin’s attorney, claimed that Catherine had even once pointed a gun at her son, perNBC 2.

Collin was ultimately acquitted of murder and kidnapping, according to reports from Fox 13,WWSBand WTSP.

Police said in the affidavit that Collin had come to live with his mother in 2023 following the death of his father, whom Collin fatally shot.

Collin was initially arrested in connection with his father’s death, per the affidavit, but evidence would emerge that led authorities to believe it was self-defense. Collin was never convicted of a crime in connection with his father’s death.

Collin and Catherine, meanwhile, had a history of heated fights, according to the affidavit, and he had previously been charged with domestic battery against her months before her death.

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Fox 4obtained bodycam footage of Collin speaking to his grandmother following an arrest in November 2023.

“I was saying, ‘Mom, I’m not a psychopath. I’m not this murderer. I’m just trying to peacefully leave or peacefully coexist,’” he reportedly said to his grandmother. “She kept telling me to shut up and shut up, and when I wouldn’t shut up, she hit me.”

The affidavit claims that a year before Catherine’s death, Collin allegedly told police that he did not want to return home, saying he did not feel safe and that he would “kill myself or my mom.”

source: people.com