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A Connecticut man who killed and cannibalized parts of his victim in 2012 has been granted conditional release from a psychiatric facility, sparking outrage among local officials and the victim’s family.

Tyree Smith, who was committed to Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown for up to 60 years following a verdict of “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity” in 2013, will now transition to supervised release. Smith had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he murdered 43-year-old Angel Gonzalez.

The gruesome details of the crime emerged when police discovered Gonzalez’s decomposing remains in an abandoned Bridgeport building. According to court documents, Smith’s cousin Nicole Rabb provided crucial testimony about Smith’s actions. She revealed that Smith had expressed a desire to “get blood on his hands” before the incident, and returned the following day with bloodstained clothing and an axe, requesting to bathe.

Rabb’s testimony detailed Smith’s confession about attacking a man who had offered him shelter from the cold. The assault was so violent that Smith managed to extract the victim’s eye and brain matter. In a disturbing development, Smith later admitted to consuming these body parts at Lakeview Cemetery, describing the eye’s texture as similar to an oyster.

The Connecticut Psychiatric Security Review Board defended their decision through spokesperson Vanessa Cardella, who emphasized Smith’s consistent compliance with treatment protocols and sustained stability. Cardella explained that the release process includes multiple phases of gradually increasing community interaction while maintaining strict oversight.

“Before being considered for conditional release, individuals first go through a temporary leave process, where they remain under hospital supervision while gradually increasing their time in the community,” Cardella added. “This phased approach ensures stability before conditional release, allowing individuals to build relationships with outpatient providers while maintaining high levels of oversight. Conditional release continues this supervision with strict conditions to prioritize both public safety and the individual’s ongoing treatment. Rehabilitation, not punishment, is the goal for all individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity.”

The decision has met fierce opposition, particularly from the victim’s family and several Republican state senators. In a joint statement, Senators Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding expressed their dismay: “Outrageous. Mind-boggling. This individual killed and ate part of his victim and was found not guilty by reason of insanity. His victim’s family raised objections about his release. What about them? Where is the justice for them?”

The senators further condemned the decision, stating, “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 ok?”