Florida Teen Acquitted of Mother’s Stabbing Death After Claiming Self-Defence
Florida Teen Acquitted of Mother’s Stabbing Death After Claiming Self-Defence
A Florida teenager, Collin Griffith, has been acquitted of murdering his mother, Catherine Griffith, after a jury accepted his claim of self-defence.The 17-year-old was found not guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping after an 11-hour jury deliberation.
The fatal incident took place in September 2024 at his grandmother’s home in Auburndale, Polk County. Witnesses reported a heated argument between Collin and his mother, during which he allegedly dragged her inside the house by her hair. Later, he called emergency services, stating that they had fought and that she was bleeding from the neck.
This was not the first fatal family incident involving Collin. In February 2023, he fatally shot his father, Charles Griffith, in Oklahoma. Investigators ruled the killing as self-defence, citing evidence of mistreatment by his father.
During the trial for his mother’s death, defence lawyer Amy Thornhill argued that Collin acted in self-defence, presenting evidence of a history of violence between him and his mother. The defence highlighted previous incidents where Catherine allegedly threatened Collin, once even at gunpoint. The prosecution was unable to disprove his self-defence claim, leading to his acquittal.
The case has gained national attention due to the extraordinary circumstances of a teenager being involved in the deaths of both parents within two years. His acquittal highlights the complexity of self-defence laws and how courts assess such claims in cases of domestic violence.
This tragic case raises broader questions about family conflict, the legal system, and the long-term psychological impact on young people who grow up in violent households. As Collin walks free, his case remains an unsettling example of how the law interprets self-defence in family disputes.
