NOTGUILTY FL - Collin Griffith, 17, stabs mother to death 1 year after fatally shooting father - Sep. 11, 2024

[Marysmith]

Is it all 12? Or was there the possibility of a split verdict? Has the split been publicized?

Is that possible? I thought it had to be unanimous with a charge like that?

 

[cujenn81]

Is it all 12? Or was there the possibility of a split verdict? Has the split been publicized?

The vote has to be unanimous to issue a verdict in criminal cases. If there’s a split, it’s a hung jury and the judge would have declared a mistrial. The prosecution would then have had to decide whether to try him again with a new jury or drop the charges.

 

[whitelilac]

I can't believe not a single juror held back on a non guilty verdict, and only after what a day and a half of deliberations. If anything, if there was such doubt about murder, you'd think at least they'd deliberate longer. This seems like a open and shut case to them. It sure wasn't, there was even a witness to him dragging his mom inside. And "falling on the knife", seriously, they all believed that without question? I'm flabbergasted.

 

[Marysmith]

I can't believe not a single juror held back on a non guilty verdict, and only after what a day and a half of deliberations. If anything, if there was such doubt about murder, you'd think at least they'd deliberate longer. This seems like a open and shut case to them. It sure wasn't, there was even a witness to him dragging his mom inside. And "falling on the knife", seriously, they all believed that without question? I'm flabbergasted.

Yeah... I'm trying to understand but I am too. Especially that 12 people agreed? And who has killed 2 people in self defense by age 17 - seriously?!

 

[arielilane]

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —
A 17-year-old boy who was accused of killing his father in Oklahoma two years ago has been acquitted of the 2024 murder of his mother in Florida.

Teen not guilty of killing mom in Florida 2 years after gunning down dad in Oklahoma

2/5/2025


Key Points

• Collin Griffith, a Port Charlotte teen, was found not guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in the death of his mother.
• Griffith had said his mother lunged at him with a knife during an argument, resulting in a fatal stab wound.
• Despite the not guilty verdict, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd maintains that detectives believe Griffith murdered his mother.

Jury finds Port Charlotte teen not guilty in his mother's stabbing death in Auburndale

2/5/2025

 

[arielilane]

Sheriff Judd provided 10 Tampa Bay with the following statement in response to the not guilty verdict:
"Our detectives firmly believe that Collin Griffith murdered his mother. The jury determined that they could not convict him beyond and to the exclusion of all reasonable doubt. During our investigation, detectives found witnesses that believe he also murdered his father in Oklahoma. That investigation is ongoing."

Teen accused of murdering mother in Polk County found not guilty on all counts

2/5/2025

 

[kuromiiiilove]

Is that possible? I thought it had to be unanimous with a charge like that?

You are right, @cujenn81 confirmed the vote would need to be unanimous.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I am absolutely shocked. No words. Maybe more of an analysis later.

I really thought he would receive a guilty verdict now he is free to kill again, about to be able to live on his own… this will not end well MOO.

Omg. So amazed añd amazing as well. We all have to do a deep dive on this one.

 

[arielilane]

Is it all 12? Or was there the possibility of a split verdict? Has the split been publicized?

The jury of one man and 11 women returned an unanimous verdict of not guilty.

 

[cujenn81]

I honestly can’t believe it either.

They had two neighbors who saw them arguing in the yard — one who also saw him pull his mom inside by her hair. He tells 911 that she pulled the knife on him after a lengthy argument but then fell on it and stabbed herself.

REALLY? That’s the story they believe? Because it sounds like something a 10-year-old made up.

Then when the cops showed up and started asking questions about what happened, he immediately said he knew his rights and wanted a lawyer.

He told his grandfather he wanted to kill his mom. He told the COPS that he wanted to kill his mom. They put him on a psychiatric hold for saying that. Months before the MURDER, he was charged with domestic assault for attacking his mom during an argument over a video game. He was issued a “no contact order” (even though they lived in the same house, which makes absolutely zero sense to me… but whatever). Lo and behold, his mom is dead a few months later.

But she attacked him and fell on her own knife. Make it make sense.

He threatened to kill her — more than once — and he did. It’s just as simple as that.

 

[realanastasia]

The jury being 11 women and one man struck me as odd—i wonder how many of those women are mothers themselves, and might have been inclined to feel more sympathetic to CG, thinking he was just the victim of an abusive parent, or more quick to buy the grandmother’s characterization of the deceased woman as a “bad mom.” I’ve never been called to serve on a jury, but I have always assumed that, in general, a jury that semi-reflects the diversity of citizens in our nation (“a jury of one’s peers”) would be a bit more varied (in terms of age/gender/race/job or economic status) that 11 women and one man, particularly if the defendant is male. Guess I was led astray by media portrayals!

 

[Mihajlo]

Tragic.

His father never saw 44. His mother never saw 40.

He may see 50, 60, 70, as a free man.

He has infamy now. I'm sure he's elated, full of himself today. And he makes some people nervous. I wonder if he considers that, or the possibility that because of his infamy some may be prone to defend themselves against any actions of his that make them feel uncomfortable?

Keep repeating a Leonard Cohen lyric from his song The Future in my head: Won't be nothing you can measure anymore that seems fitting in light of this news.

What scares this kid, besides parents, something he need not concern himself with anymore?

 

[detective.moon]

he was charged with domestic assault for attacking his mom during an argument over a video game. He was issued a “no contact order” (even though they lived in the same house, which makes absolutely zero sense to me… but whatever).

rsbbm

i was confused about this too! but i read in one of the articles in the beginning of the thread that he apparently had a “no violent contact” order.

i found this explanation of no violent contact orders in florida, by an attorney:

"No Contact" or "Stay Away Orders" are mandatory and automatic in all DV cases.

Virtually no Judge will remove the Order but many will at least consider modifying them to a "No Violent Contact Order".

The Court can ("can", not "must") modify the Order at the request of the alleged victim, but this requires the alleged victim to formally petition the Court to modify the SAO, to physically appear in court, to be sworn and to testify to the Court's satisfaction that s/he does not fear the Defendant, that s/he wishes to have contact and the request is the product of free will and is not being coerced, directly or indirectly, toward any means or motive.

When this happens (i.e. when the Judge amends / modifies from a NCO to a NVCO) then the subject can have contact with target (i.e. they can talk, text, meet, eat even live together) but if the contact gets violent then the subject violates and bond can be revoked. (The practical difference is that after modification should the victim change her / his mind then bond won't be revoked for contact alone, rather some violence will be required for a violation.)

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www.avvo.com

 

[c@tw0man]

Yes I wish we knew how 12 people found him not guilty...

Maybe one of them will open up, and give us insight into their thinking. Just baffling.
Bone chilling. Prosecutor should go into tax law.

 

[Via Marple]

I suppose he now inherits both his parents' estates? Are there other siblings?

 

[ErinC]

I suppose he now inherits both his parents' estates? Are there other siblings?

If I've understood all this correctly, Texas still has the option to charge him and is looking into doing so- so hopefully they have some success with that. MOO

 

[nhmemorymaker]

If I've understood all this correctly, Texas still has the option to charge him and is looking into doing so- so hopefully they have some success with that. MOO

And why did they not before....
I just hope Texas does not give up..

Ohhhh how I wish I was around the breakfast table with any and all these jurers when they learn about the father's death as well.....................

This one is just so hard to bear.

 

[SluethinAway]

And why did they not before....
I just hope Texas does not give up..

Ohhhh how I wish I was around the breakfast table with any and all these jurers when they learn about the father's death as well.....................

This one is just so hard to bear.

I thought it was Oklahoma...
Did anyone catch the COURT TV reel of him walking out of the jail last night?
It was chilling.
He walks out, no one to greet him or happy that he is getting out (for good reason) and he's walking alone, down the sidewalk as if into the night, into the streets...
Don't know if there was a car waiting but certainly not what you normally see.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

If I've understood all this correctly, Texas still has the option to charge him and is looking into doing so- so hopefully they have some success with that. MOO

I think so far it is "self defence" about the Dad's shooting *in the head AND torso--"double tapped"- in Oklahoma and not Texas?

Florida murder case could re-open Oklahoma self-defense case

Collin Griffth shot and killed his father in Stroud last year. He has now been charged with killing his mom in Florida.

www.koco.com

There was mention of audio files and recorded conversations of CG admitting to planning his dad's demise... can only hope someone can recover them if they in fact do exist!

@SluethinAway YES!!!! Watching the short clip of Collin dressed in a white shirt and khakis, walking into the night past the sole camera panning on his awkward gait... was chilling.

Collin Griffith Walks out of Jail After Being Processed and Released

Collin Griffith walked out of a Florida jail free after his acquittal on murder and other charges related to the stabbing death of his mom.

www.courttv.com

WHERE ARE THE JURORS NOW THAT THEY KNOW HIS DAD IS DEAD, TOO!?!!??!!!

 

[AnyNameIWish]

I suppose he now inherits both his parents' estates? Are there other siblings?

Yes... Catherine had another son (now an adult aged 24 or so,) there wasn't much discussion of him nor did he testify at the trial (not sure if he was in attendance.)

All the more, the lack of testimony from Catherine's friends or colleagues or boyfriends - just attacks from her OWN MOTHER- was a huge fail on the part of the prosecution. They vilified the biodad of Catherine simply since he wasn't in her life much - and painted him as an incredulous witness. The jury bought it

OH. And CG turns 18 in mid-March. I wonder what employer will consider him as a candidate. The mind boggles.....