Cat Killer Evidence to be Released
Judge sets a July 6 deadline for arrest affidavits to be made public
By TODD WRIGHT
Updated 7:01 AM EDT, Thu, Jun 25, 2009
A Miami-Dade judge has ruled the police reports and other evidence against accused cat killer Tyler Weinman must be released to the public by July 6.
Beyond morbid curiosity, the judge sided with media outlets that the public has the right to know what links Weinman to the killings of dozens of cats in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay neighborhoods.
Several reports had revealed some of the evidence, including the finding of cutting tools in his room, evidence of scratch marks on his body and the use of a tracking device on his car which puts him in close proximity to the scene of many of the 19 cat killings he is accused of committing.
But prosecutors claimed releasing certain information would endanger some of the cat owners who had their pets skinned and would open them up to possible retaliation.
Prosecutors also said they are still investigating whether Weinman had accomplices in the killings, stating that they weren't sure whether the 18-year-old acted alone.
Weinman is charged with 19 counts of animal cruelty, 19 counts of improperly disposing of an animal body and four counts of burglary in the spree of cat mutilations and killings throughout Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay. He was released last week on $249,500 bond after a judge examined a psychiatric evaluation and ruled that Weinman was competent to proceed.
Weinman is currently on house arrest and being monitored electronically while he awaits trial.
First Published: Jun 24, 2009 5:13 PM EDT
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