Florida teen Collin Griffith found not guilty of killing mom Catherine Griffith 2 years after gunning down dad
Share and Follow

A Florida teenager accused of murdering his mother was found not guilty on all charges.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Collin Griffith previously killed his father in self-defense.

In September, Catherine Griffith died from a stab wound, and her son called 911 saying she had fell on a knife.

“He has painted a picture that his mom lunged at him with a knife, tripped, and somehow fell on the knife. That’s preposterous,” the state prosecutor said.

Prior to moving in with his mother, Griffith had also killed his father in Oklahoma, which was ruled as self-defense.

Collin’s grandfather also spoke about a concerning conversation he had with Collin just months before Catherine’s death.

“He said ‘my mom, I keep thinking over and over I want to slit her throat, I want her to bleed out, I want to smell the blood’,” Catherine’s father Robert Walantas testified.

The teen’s defense team told the jury he acted in self-defense the day his mother died, and told the jury that Catherine committed “suicide by son”.

The teen’s grandmother confirmed that Catherine had numerous suicidal attempts.

Ring camera video played during the court hearing revealed that Catherine drove from Port Charlotte to Auberndale to get her son the day she died, because she was afraid of him violating his ongoing court orders.

The defense argued that Collin made it known multiple times that he will defend himself if his mother attacks him.

“He’s telling people ‘I don’t feel safe, I don’t want to go back with my mom’ and they kept making him do that,” Defense Attorney Amy Porinchak Thornhill said.

After less than 12 hours of deliberation Collin Griffith was found not guilty by the jury, on both the murder and kidnapping charges.

Friends of the family said they are unsure of where he will live once he is released.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
The high-speed chase ended with the teen crashing the SUV.

Missing Teen in Stolen SUV Survives High-Speed Chase and Rollover Crash After Crossing Into Oncoming Traffic

Dashcam footage has captured a dramatic scene where a 17-year-old behind the…
Jersey City mayor fails to plow streets enough to open schools Tuesday

Jersey City Mayor Faces Backlash as Insufficient Snow Plowing Forces School Closures

What a blunder in the snow. Residents of Jersey City are criticizing…
Well-known Texas attorney’s wife among victims of deadly private jet crash in Maine

Tragic Maine Jet Crash Claims Life of Prominent Texas Attorney’s Wife

The community is grappling with grief following the tragic loss of six…
Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance during town hall

Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar Faces Unidentified Substance Incident at Town Hall Event

During a town hall event in Minneapolis, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar experienced…
Soros-backed Philadelphia DA vows to 'hunt' down ICE agents: 'we will find you'

Philadelphia DA’s Bold Stand: Vows to Hold ICE Agents Accountable with Soros Support

Philadelphia’s District Attorney, Larry Krasner, who has gained attention for being backed…
Three-Day Fetch: Jacksonville weighs stray dilemma proposal to cut shelter hold time in half

Jacksonville Officials Announce Reduction in Animal Stray Hold Period from Six to Five Days

In a decisive move aimed at enhancing animal welfare in Jacksonville, the…
Ilhan Omar attack theories emerge as Trump fuels vicious fraud claim

Trump’s Baseless Fraud Claims Spark New Wave of Ilhan Omar Conspiracy Theories

Ilhan Omar is facing accusations of orchestrating her own assault after former…
Los Angeles homeowner opens fire on burglary suspects fleeing in Studio City neighborhood

Studio City Drama: Los Angeles Homeowner Fires at Fleeing Burglary Suspects

In the early hours of Tuesday, a homeowner in Los Angeles opened…