Collin Griffith, Florida 17-year-old, found not guilty of killing mother

A Florida jury found 17-year-old Collin Griffith not guilty of killing his mother, two years after he admitted to killing his father in self-defense.

Why It Matters

Collin was accused of fatally stabbing his mother, 39-year-old Catherine Griffith, in September of last year. He told 911 dispatchers that his mother “fell on a knife” during a “very long fight.”

In 2023, Collin admitted to fatally shooting his father, 43-year-old Charles Griffith. He told investigators he acted in self-defense. Collin was charged with first-degree murder in relation to his father’s killing, but prosecutors dropped the charge because they “could not disprove Collin’s assertion of self-defense.”

The jury was told that Collin shot someone in self-defense, but they did not learn the victim’s name or relation to the defendant.

What To Know

The verdict comes after over 11 hours of deliberations. The jury began deliberating on Tuesday after the prosecution and defense delivered closing arguments.

What is the Verdict in Collin Griffith’s Florida Murder Trial?

Collin was acquitted on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Prosecutor Mark Levine said Collin stabbed his mother in the neck and “watched her bleed out in front of him.”

“She left this world knowing that the person that took her out was the son that she gave everything to,” Levine told jurors during his closing argument.

Defense attorney Amy Porinchak Thornhill said the defense wants jurors to focus on “the emotion and the drama, rather than on the actual facts.” She also asked the jury if Catherine intended to harm herself.

“Isn’t it also reasonable that Cathy knew what the outcome was going to be?” Porinchak Thornhill said. “And she picked up a knife and threatened Collin with it? You’ve heard of suicide by cop, isn’t it reasonable to think that Cathy committed suicide by son?”

Prior to the deadly incident, Collin and Catherine had allegedly gotten into an argument and Collin went to his grandmother’s house. Catherine died after she showed up at the house with the intention of bringing Collin home. The grandmother wasn’t home at the time.

Collin was previously arrested in November 2023 for a domestic violence incident involving his mother.

At the time, he told deputies that he did not want to return to his mother’s custody because he was in “a constant state of fight or flight.”

What People Are Saying

Levine, in his opening statement: “It was a Sunday evening, September 8th of last year in Auburndale, Florida. And it was at that time that the defendant viscously and savagely unleashed his full fury and hatred toward his mother upon her.”

Porinchak Thornhill, in her opening statement: “Cathy has threatened or done harm to other people.”

What Happens Next

Collin will be released from Polk County Jail, where he was being held without bond.

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