*In a deeply unsettling development, Tyree Smith, a Connecticut man who was found not guilty because of insanity for the 2012 murder of Angel Gonzalez, has been granted conditional release from the Whiting Forensic Hospital, the state’s only maximum-security psychiatric institution.
The decision, made by the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board, has ignited strong reactions from Gonzalez’s family and local lawmakers who are alarmed by the implications for public safety.
Smith was sentenced to 60 years at the hospital after the heinous act, which involved the brutal murder of Gonzalez with a hatchet. Disturbingly, testimony from Smith’s cousin revealed that he confessed to consuming parts of Gonzalez’s brain and an eyeball while intoxicated, painting a harrowing picture of the crime.
The body of Gonzalez was discovered in a vacant Bridgeport apartment, a month after the murder, shocking the local community and raising awareness about mental health issues in the criminal justice system.
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On Friday, the board’s decision followed a psychiatric assessment claiming Smith’s mental health conditions, including schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders, were in full remission due to effective medication and treatment. As a result of this assessment, the board approved Smith’s conditional release, meaning he will now live in a supervised community setting with strict adherence to ongoing treatment protocols.
Despite being discharged from the hospital, the circumstances surrounding Smith’s release have prompted fear and skepticism. Talitha Frazier, sister-in-law to the victim, articulated her concerns during the board hearing, questioning the authenticity of Smith’s mental health improvements.
“How do we really know he’s not going to do this again?” Frazier asked, underscoring the emotional toll on Gonzalez’s family and the broader community.
State Senators Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding expressed their dismay at the board’s ruling, labeling it “outrageous” and “mind-boggling.” They stated in a joint release that the decision jeopardizes public safety and sends a troubling message to victims of violent crime and their families. “This person should never be out,” they emphasized, demonstrating widespread concern around the decision.
Smith participated in the hearing virtually, but for safety reasons linked to media coverage, he was not displayed on video screens, further adding to the controversy of the proceedings. As Smith begins his supervised release, the implications resonate deeply, leaving the community to grapple with the intersection of mental health treatment and public safety in the aftermath of such a heinous crime.
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