Jun 17, 2009 9:40 am US/Eastern
Alleged Cat Killer Released On Bail
MIAMI (CBS) ―
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Judge to decide if 18-year old Tyler Weinman can be released on bond.
CBS
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Weiman, 18, has been charged in a series of brutal cat murders in Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay.
Miami-Dade Corrections/CBS
A Miami-Dade judge has ordered that a Cutler Bay teen accused of mutilating and killing 19 cats can be released from jail.
During a hearing Wednesday morning Miami-Dade Circuit Judge John Thornton released Tyler Weinman into the custody of his parents after being told by a psychiatrist that he posed no threat to himself or to the community. Even though his parents posted the required bail amount on Tuesday, Weinman was being held on a 48 hour suicide watch. As per terms of his release, Judge Thornton said Weinman will remain under house arrest with an electronic monitoring device and will have to attend outpatient psychotherapy classes twice a week.
Because of the public outcry over Weinman's alleged actions, prosecutors and police fear for his safety. It is suspected that that he will not be taken to either his mother or father's home, but to a relative's home to will keep him out of the public spotlight. Judge Thornton said Weinman, who was outfitted with an electronic monitoring device, would be allowed to attend the counseling recommended by a doctor.
Weinman will be arraigned July 6th.
After the hearing, Weinman's parents maintained their son's innocence.
"My son is innocent, and I know he didn't kill the cats. That will be proven in court. He is gentle with cats, and I am truly moved by the hundreds of people who have shown their support for him," said Douglas Weinman.
"I know my stepson, and I know he didn't do it. He is innocent of the charges against him," said Arlette Weinman.
Tyler Weinman was arrested Sunday and charged with 19 counts each of animal cruelty and improperly disposing of an animal body and four counts of burglary related to the deaths. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with bail set at $249,000.
Miami-Dade police Major Julie Miller said Weinman was taken into custody after weeks of investigation and surveillance. He was arrested Saturday evening at a party at a friend's house. The investigation remains open as detectives try to determine if there were accomplices to the crimes.
Weinman's friends say they have a hard time believing he would kill 19 cats.
"If it really was him, he did a really good job hiding from his girlfriend, from all his best friends, and everyone who knew him," Alex Falgons said.
"I hope it's not true," admitted 77-year-old Robert Ehrman, who lives across the street from her in Cutler Bay. He called Weinman's mother a "lovely person," but said he didn't know the teen well. "It's like a death in the family, I'm sure."
"If they do get the wrong guy and it's not him, they've ruined his life as it is right now," said 19-year-old Kyle Hantzis, who lives next door.
Hantzis, who said his father dates Weinman's mother, called the teenager quiet and well-spoken. Authorities said Weinman was spending his summer doing odd jobs, and his Facebook page says he attended Miami Palmetto Senior High.
Hantzis said he had a hard time picturing the teen as a serial cat killer. "I don't think, the way he acts and his demeanor, I don't think he could physically do it," he said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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