A man from Connecticut, Tyree Smith, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the tragic killing of Angel Gonzalez in 2012. He used a hatchet and was reported to have consumed parts of the victim’s body. Recently, he was granted conditional release from the Whiting Forensic Hospital, Connecticut’s only maximum-security psychiatric facility.
Smith had been sentenced to 60 years in the hospital following the murder, which shocked the community. Authorities discovered Gonzalez’s disfigured body in a vacant apartment a month after the crime. A chilling detail from the case revealed that Smith’s cousin testified he admitted to eating part of Gonzalez’s brain and an eyeball.
During a recent session, the Psychiatric Security Review Board decided on Smith’s release after a psychiatrist reported significant improvements in his condition. According to the doctor, Smith’s schizophrenia and substance use issues were under control thanks to medication and treatment.
This conditional release means Smith will live in a monitored community setting with strict rules in place, including ongoing treatment. For the past nine months, he had already been living at a facility with round-the-clock supervision. Friday’s decision officially discharged him from the hospital, but concerns linger about his mental health.
During the board’s hearing, Talitha Frazier, Gonzalez’s sister-in-law, expressed her doubts about Smith’s recovery. She questioned how anyone could ensure he wouldn’t commit another violent act. “How do we really know he’s not going to do this again?” she asked, fearing for public safety.
Some state lawmakers shared her concerns. Senators Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding criticized the board’s decision, calling it “outrageous” and “mind-boggling.” They expressed that this decision could endanger the public and sends a troubling message to victims of violent crimes and their families.
During the hearing, Smith participated virtually with his attorney. However, the video was not broadcast due to safety issues related to media coverage.
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Connecticut, Crime
