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Inside The Mind Of An Alleged Serial Cat Killer

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Jun 15, 2009 7:21 pm US/Eastern

Inside The Mind Of An Alleged Serial Cat Killer

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MIAMI (CBS4) ― What's inside the mind of a serial cat killer? So many of us would like to know. Police blame South Florida teenager Tyler Weinman for the murder and mutilation of 19 cats over the past month. Why would he allegedly do that?

University of Miami Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Jon Shaw said a person who repeatedly abuses animals is usually grooming themselves for more heinous crimes. "If you look at serial killers and those who grow up to be killers like the Boston strangler, Ted Bundy or Berkowitz, they all have early histories of animal cruelty," said Shaw. "So usually, these type of behaviors have their onset in childhood or adolescence."

Shaw said he can not talk directly about Weinman's case because he's never seen him. However, he said there were likely signs that would have been visible to his family and friends: school failure, relationship and family dysfunction, delinquent behavior and substance abuse.

Weinman's parents are divorced and police confirm he had three prior arrests; one was for marijuana.

According to Dr. Shaw, people who abuse animals are typically very secretive, except when they look to gloat. Weinman was one of more than 15-hundred members of the Facebook group called "Catch the Cat Killer!"

"Its just like arsonist and fire setters often go to the fires afterward and enjoy the arousal and excitement of everybody aggregating, being awestruck by the fire," said Shaw. "So there's a feeling of being in control and dominant and having a secret."

Dr. Shaw also said people with this condition usually work alone. That remains to be seen in Weinman's case. Police said they are actively investigating other suspects.


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