NOT GUILTY FL - Collin Griffith, 17, stabs mother to death 1 year after fatally shooting father - Sep. 11, 2024

[Megnut]

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[Megnut]

I think I see what the Defense is trying to do. Make the defendant out to be a henpecked victim who responded in desperate self-defense, and I think a case can be made for major dysfunction, but I'm seeing a young man with a serious lack of self-regulation. Just because he put his threat out there shouldn't give him a free pass to act on it.

Yes, there were red flags everywhere but this was a tail wagging a dog. Threatening violence if he didn't get his way, and then doing just that.

She's not on trial for her mental health, her parenting, the reasonable or unreasonableness of her rules and expectations. As much as the Defense wants to make it a case about that.

At least that's my take on it at this point.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Geez, over lunch, a staff member commented to two jurors -- to one "at least your not on the jury of the kid who killed his mom" and to another something about being on a mock jury (a reference no one understood). Bailiff alerted the judge, jurors were polled. Sounds like the staff member is, ah, swiftly no longer a staff person.

As I understand it.

JMO

 

[katydid23]

I think I see what the Defense is trying to do. Make the defendant out to be a henpecked victim who responded in desperate self-defense, and I think a case can be made for major dysfunction, but I'm seeing a young man with a serious lack of self-regulation. Just because he put his threat out there shouldn't give him a free pass to act on it.

Yes, there were red flags everywhere but this was a tail wagging a dog. Threatening violence if he didn't get his way, and then doing just that.

She's not on trial for her mental health, her parenting, the reasonable or unreasonableness of her rules and expectations. As much as the Defense wants to make it a case about that.

At least that's my take on it at this point.

JMO

I wish the jury could hear about him killing his father. I think they'd understand better why Mom had so many cameras and wanted to read his texts, etc.

Without that knowledge, they might decide she's unreasonable and too controlling and emotionally abusive. But knowing that he had shot his father helps us all understand why she was taking those precautions.

I also understand why she took him home from the mental institution. I think he was probably begging her to do so, and making promises. like "mom, PLEASE, if you save me and let me come home to you, I promise to get counseling and to follow your rules, etc etc. "

She probably thought it would prevent him from being so angry towards her if she helped him get free.

When she was criticising him for not doing his chores, etc, she sounded like the average frustrated mom of a teenager, imo.

 

[arielilane]

Complete trial updates at link:​

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES​

DAY 3 – 1/31/25​

• Dr. David Garavan, medical examiner and forensic pathologist takes the witness stand.
  • Deascribes Cathy’s neck wound as: Large, gaping, likely came from a single blade.
  • Says the knife went through her esophagus, wind pipe, vocal chord, and came out on the other side.
  • Says of all the knife/stabbing deaths he’s examined, most were homicides, some were accidents, NONE were suicides.
  • Classifies Cathy’s manner of death as homicide, meaning: Wound was inflicted by another person, wound is NOT consistent with someone falling on a knife.
  • Judge explains to Dr. Garavan that he can’t talk about Collin’s father’s death. Attorneys aren’t even going to tell the jury his dad is dead, or that he was killed, or that Collin had anything to do with it. Clarifies that if witness violates this order, he could be jailed or fined, and a mistrial might be declared.

​

​

DAY 2 – 1/30/25​

• Forensic investigator Brandy Bange described Collin’s demeanor as emotionless for the entire 20-30 minutes she spent with him.
  • Bange photographed Collin, swabbed blood on him. Said he had no defensive wounds on his hands.Sgt. Michael Schneider recalled being dispatched to a crisis unit at a behavioral center to help with the release of a potentially violent patient. That patient was Collin.
  • Said Collin walked up to him and said: “I need to be Baker Acted.” When the Sgt. asked why, Collin said either he will kill himself or his mother.

​

​

DAY 1 – 1/29/25​

• Ahead of opening statements, the defendant asked to be excused from the courtroom during the playing of the 911 call.

FL v. Collin Griffith: Deadly Son Murder Trial

Collin Griffith is charged with murdering his mother in a stabbing, eighteen months after he shot and killed his father in self-defense.

www.courttv.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

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[imstilla.grandma]

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Family members of teen accused of killing mother said they feared him

Collin Griffith is accused of murdering his 39-year-old mother Catherine Griffith in 2024.

www.wtsp.com

Collin Griffith trial: Grandfather says teen told him he wanted to slit his mother's throat

Collin Griffith is accused of murdering his 39-year-old mother Catherine Griffith in 2024.

www.wtsp.com

 

[arielilane]

Maternal grandmother on the stand. She testified her daughter has been violent with CG countless times.

Watched earlier last week and heard the victim had some problems. However, the defendant is most definitely a problem child. moo

 

[Megnut]

Sidebar now, but testimony from the grandmother has gotten rather testy. The State all but accusing her of changing her testimony in her grandson's favor.

JMO

 

[ChatteringBirds]

She testified her daughter has been violent with CG countless times.

Did she give specific examples?

 

[Megnut]

Wow. Case rested.

Jury will be dismissed for the day shortly.

Closing arguments tomorrow morning.

 

[arielilane]

That was quick.

 

[Megnut]

Oop

Outside the presence of the jury, the judge is looking the defendant about his right to testify or not. Defendant chose to take more time to discuss it with his attorneys. They've gone to the jury room to do so. While he jury waits in the hallway.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

They're back. Couldn't have been even a two minute discussion.

Waiting to hear how he'll answer --

He does not want to testify.

There it is.

Trial is over but for closing arguments and a verdict....

 

[Megnut]

Lackluster trial in a lot of ways. What are the actual charges?

It's not self- defense to murder someone who is provoking you. Is there any evidence he was threatened bodily?

What are the jury's choices here?

JMO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

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[arielilane]

Did she give specific examples?

I went ahead and summarize Grandmother SD's testimony.

SD was married to Cathy’s father for 19 yrs (divorced in 1998)
Had three children (including victim) with this man

Victim was cremated
She never wanted to be put in the ground — wanted her ashes to be taken to the ocean
Victim’s ashes are still at someone’s house

SD was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer
Her daughter Cathy wishes were for her father to care for SD. This caused a dispute between mother and daughter.
SD wasn’t having it, and claimed that he (father) lost his nursing license and she (SD) wanted a real nurse for care.
Cathy threatened to have her mother arrested. Said you can contact CG, but dont contact me.

In Jan/Feb 2024, CG (defendant) came to live with his grandmother (SD).
Another argument between Cathy and her mother. Cathy told SD I dont want to see you or CG again.

In January 2024, SD stated Cathy was suicidal, taking pills, and didnt have a life.

Attorney reminded witness (SD) to only answer the question.

Grandmother noted all of Cathy's suicide attempts. Most recent one last, August 2024.

In June 2024, grandmother (SD) denied Cathy’s claim that defendant CG tried to kill her mother SD. Grandmother denied it, she said, "he’s never tried to murder me.”

SD claims Cathy makes things up. Grandmother claims Cathy makes up stories about other people that are not true.

SD witnessed Cathy not being able to control her temper.

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[arielilane]

SO MANY MISSED OBJECTIONS!
Loved how @Sunny_Slaughter said, “These prosecutors should be jumping up and down like they’re on a trampoline!”



10:26 AM · Feb 3, 2025


NO CONTROL On cross, you MUST control the witness! Here, Grandma is running all over the prosecutor….




10:51 AM · Feb 3, 2025


@JulieCourtTV

 

[arielilane]

Collin Griffith, 17, is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his mother, Catherine Griffith on Sept. 8, 2024. Collin claims he acted in self-defense the day his mother died and told 911 dispatchers that his mother “fell on a knife” during a “very long fight.”​

​

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES​

DAY 4 – 2/3/25​

• The state rests their case-in-chief.
• After calling Collin’s grandmother to the stand, the defense rests its case.
  • WATCH: Collin Griffith’s Grandmother Says Victim Had History of Lying
• Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4.

FL v. Collin Griffith: Deadly Son Murder Trial

Collin Griffith is charged with murdering his mother in a stabbing, eighteen months after he shot and killed his father in self-defense.

www.courttv.com

 

[katydid23]

wow---so anti-climactic

what can the jury do now? The victim's not looking too sympathetic but it's not actual self defense.

I hope they keep in mind grandfather's testimony, that the killer said he wanted to 'slit his mother's throat and smell the blood as she bleeds out.'