Charges Dropped in Florida Teen Cat-Killer Case

I was stunned to learn all charges have been dropped against 19-year-old Tyler Weinman by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office, according to a news item in the Daytona News Journal. Over a year ago, our first story about Tyler Weinman was published. At the time of his arrest Weinman was 17 years old, and charged with the killing and mutilating of 21 cats in Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay in the Miami-Dade area of Florida. Attention was drawn to Weinman by police officials, following a tip they received. Weinman was stopped by law enforcement for a traffic infraction and arrested on charges for marijuana found in his car. After obtaining a warrant to search his home, police found catnip even though Weinman did not own a cat. Investigators said while Weinman was being questioned by police, he appeared "over enthusiastic and scary" when talking about his experience while dissecting cats in school, animatedly describing the sound of the skin when being torn. Investigators also noted that Weinman appeared to have cat scratches on his body. Additionally, during one of the interviews, Weinman said, "If I tell you about the first cats that I did, can you make the rest of them go away? " Charges of cruelty to animals were made when veterinarians working with authorities arrived at the conclusion that 19 of the 33 cats were killed by a human. Cell phone records showed that Weinman was in the neighborhood where dead cats were found. Additionally a GPS device placed in Weinman's car put him in the area where two dead cats were discovered. In May 2010, we discovered that Mr. Weinman's defense attorney, David Macey, was blaming the killing of cats on pit bulls roaming the neighborhoods. According to a recent piece in the Daytona News Journal, veterinarians working with authorities did a major turnaround, admitting that the expert forensic veterinarian, hired by Macey, was correct in the conclusion that the wounds found on the preserved remains of 8 of the dead cats were consistent with large animal bites. According to the prosecutor, the cat killings stopped after Weinman was arrested, but two large stray dogs, found in the area of the killings, were captured the same day, so charges were dropped. In spite of the State Attorney's decision, prosecutors maintain to defend their position in arresting Weinman since the cats were found in "posed positions," and had no blood around them, leading detectives to conclude they were killed by a human and later moved to the locations in which they were found. In a statement made by Miami- Dade Police Department officials, they still think Weinman killed the cats, but respect the State Attorney's decision. During a news conference, Macey said, "Tyler suffered through 17 months of humiliation, death threats and indignities that no one should have to bear. The police succumbed to the lynch mob and Tyler was arrested for a crime he did not commit." He strongly maintains his client's innocence. The Weinman family is considering a lawsuit, but at this time it is not certain who will be sued, according to Macey. How do you feel about the State Attorney's decision to drop the charges against Tyler Weinman? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment. Image Source: Associated Press