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

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

In 2013, Tyree Smith was found not guilty by reason of insanity in relation to the 2012 killing of Angel Gonzalez, whose body was discovered after he was hacked to death in a vacant apartment in Bridgeport, per NPR. The outlet reported that Smith’s cousin testified that Smith admitted to eating one of Gonzalez’s eyeballs and part of his brain at the time.

According to area news outlet NBC-CT, Smith — who resides at the Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown — was granted the conditional release after a review hearing regarding his case by the Connecticut Psychiatric Security Review Board on Friday, Feb. 22.

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 outlet WSFB. “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.”

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

In a shared public statement posted 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 the Associated Press.