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According to reports, Smith had been staying on the porch of a home on Brooks Street when Gonzalez invited him inside for shelter from the cold. Smith then launched a brutal attack, using an axe to bludgeon Gonzalez to death. After the gruesome killing, he removed one of the victim’s eyeballs and a portion of his brain.
Investigators later learned that Smith consumed these body parts at a nearby cemetery, where he described the taste of the eyeball as similar to an oyster.
The case, which horrified the public, resulted in Smith being sent to a psychiatric hospital rather than prison, as he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
State Board Approves Release
Despite the heinous nature of his crime, the Psychiatric Security Review Board ruled on Friday that Smith had demonstrated “long-term stability” and had followed his care plan while undergoing treatment.
Vanessa Cardella, a spokesperson for the board, defended the decision, stating, “His release will be conditional, ensuring that he remains under structured supervision and continues receiving the necessary mental health services.”
She elaborated on the phased approach to his reintegration, explaining that “individuals first go through a temporary leave process, where they remain under hospital supervision while gradually increasing their time in the community.” This process, she argued, ensures stability before full conditional release.
The goal, according to Cardella, is “rehabilitation, not punishment.”
Victim’s Family and Lawmakers Outraged
Gonzalez’s family has fiercely opposed Smith’s release, arguing that justice is being denied. Republican state senators also slammed the board’s decision, calling it a betrayal of crime victims and public safety.
“Outrageous. Mind-boggling. This individual killed and ate part of his victim and was found not guilty by reason of insanity,” read a joint statement from State Sens. Heather Somers, Paul Cicarella, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding. “His victim’s family raised objections about his release. What about them? Where is the justice for them?”
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The senators further warned that this decision sends a dangerous message. “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,” they declared. “We are dumbfounded at this injustice. In what universe is this ok?”
Public Safety Concerns
Critics argue that releasing a man who committed such an unspeakable crime poses a serious threat to society. While state officials insist that Smith will be closely monitored, many are questioning whether such assurances are enough.
With growing concerns over public safety and the rights of crime victims being overlooked, this case has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Connecticut and beyond. As lawmakers demand answers, the release of Tyree Smith raises serious questions about how justice is being served—and whether such a dangerous individual should ever be allowed back into society.
