Cop: Suspect Laughed about Cat Murders

(CBS/AP)  A south Florida teenager accused of killing more than a dozen cats fits the profile of a sociopath and responded with laughter when police first spoke to him about the cat deaths, a detective said in an affidavit released Monday.

The 10-page affidavit notes that Miami-Dade County detectives used an electronic device to track 18-year-old Tyler Hayes Weinman's car and traced his cell phone before charging him with the macabre crimes. The tracking device showed the car had stopped near places where at least two dead cats were later found. The affidavit was unsealed the same day the teen was formally arraigned in Miami-Dade court.

Weinman had already filed a written plea of not guilty to charges with 19 counts each of animal cruelty and improperly disposing of an animal body. He also faces four counts of burglary related to the cat deaths. If convicted, Weinman could face up to 158 years in prison.

Police believe Weinman, who has been released on bond, was behind the deaths of at least 19 cats whose mutilated bodies were discovered by their horrified owners or other concerned residents in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay neighborhoods during the spring. Altogether, more than 30 dead cats were found in the neighborhoods between April and June.

The affidavit supporting Weinman's arrest warrant details how the investigation progressed and helps explain why police grew suspicious of Weinman, whose divorced parents live in both communities.

It says Weinman, who had been expelled from two high schools, was spotted by police on surveillance in Cutler Bay after midnight on May 14 and 15. Both times, when a police detective told him about the cat killings, Weinman laughed, the affidavit says. It also says Weinman joined an online Facebook group dedicated to catching the south Miami-Dade cat killer.

During a May 15 traffic stop that led to an arrest for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license, police also found a "cutting instrument" outside the teenager's driver's side window. At one point during the interview, Weinman took off his shirt to show authorities scratches on his body. He said the scratches came from a stray cat that he fed at his mother's house.

But Tyler Weinman's attorney David Macey was quick to point out a missing element in the report, reports CBS-4 in Miami.

"It's really important to note that there's not one single witness in there that says Tyler Weinman touched a cat. Not one witness," said Weinman's attorney, David Macey.

Prosecutor Elijah Levitt said the affidavit "speaks for itself."

In one interview with police, the teenager reportedly became excited when he described a "tearing sound" that occurs when skin is ripped from a cat's body during dissections, according to the documents. A high school teacher told investigators that cats that are dissected in a classroom setting are prepared for the procedure, so no such noise occurs.

After consulting with staff doctors in the Miami-Dade Police department's psychological services section, detectives concluded that Weinman fit the profile of a sociopath.

Macey called it "junk science," and said it will be proven false.

The teen did not attend Monday's hearing, but his stepmother and his attorney were present. No trial date was set.

Macey also filed a motion to return property seized during the investigation. A hearing was set for Friday.

Police removed box cutters, several knives, hypodermic needles and a metal dental tool, according to court documents. They also took an iPod, computer equipment, a pair of shoes and a piece of paper that contained typed directions.

Macey argued that the items, which were taken from Weinman and his parents, did not represent "the fruit of criminal activity" and are unrelated to any crimes.

Miami-Dade police released few details after Weinman was arrested in mid-June, citing an ongoing investigation. Authorities said other arrests might be forthcoming, but no other suspects have been charged yet.

[proudmilvet]

All Animal abusers need to Die!

[Samuel-HiLL]

Cats should be subject to the same laws that apply to dogs, and shouldn't be allowed to run loose and breed unchecked. While there is nothing that could justify this young man's actions, cat owners need to take responsibilty for their pets and not allow them to roam freely.

Last summer my 4 year old grand-daughter was attacked by a stray cat that had taken up residence with her litter of kittens in the family shed. She went to get her bike out and the cat pounced on her, shredding her legs and inflicting deep bites in a matter of seconds.

When I intervened, the cat bit me and I flung it clear across the yard, and it ran back and tried to attack my grand-daughter again. At this point, we were nowhere near her kittens, but the cat just would not stop until I crushed it's skull.

If that wasn't horrific enough, the cat's owner actually tried to have me arrested for killing her cat, and showed no concern for my grand-daughter. Fortunately, I'm not the litigous type, but needless to say, the woman and I don't get along.

This woman feeds stray cats and there are dozens hanging around her house at any given time. We can't leave the garage door up, or they will take up residence. Complaints to animal control are fruitless because she claims they are not her cats...until you kill one of them.

Just two days ago, we again had to deal with this woman's cats. My mother-in-law picked up my wife for a doctor appointment, and in the short time she was parked in our driveway, two kittens and an older cat climbed into the engine compartment of her van.

When they were a block from the hospital (30 miles away) they heard a thump and the check engine light came on. By the time the got to the parking garage the van was overheating. When my wife raised the hood, she found filthy and obviously frightened kitten clinging to the battery cables. When my son arrived to assist them, he found the fan belt dangling, but not broken. When he moved it, another kitten jumped out and ran off. At this time he noticed balls of fur around the pulleys, and after removing the shroud, found what remained of the older cat.

Of course the neighbor swears they weren't her cats, even though the kittens were obviously from the same litter as others in her possession.

Fortunately, the damage to the van was restricted to the fan belt, but it could have been much worse had this occured while they were on the highway or going around a curve, as they lost power steering which makes it extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel, especially for an elderly woman.

When we called animal control, they only added insult to injury by suggesting we buy and set out live traps, then bring the cats to the shelter where, for a fee, they will take them off our hands. Not exactly what we had in mind.

While I could justify killing a few of these cats, I could never do it, even after all of this. That someone would do it for some perverse pleasure in just unfathomable, and I hope this boy gets help, not just a jail sentence.

[jenni703]

And what does this rambling have to do with this story. I know, I know, it was "just cats" that were tortured and murdered. So, when the psycho gets out and tortures and murders your granddaughter (one word, by the way), will it be "just a girl"? Most serial killers have killed animals as a prelude to humans. Your neighborhood cat problems have nothing to do with this story.

[ahrats]

Killing animals is just the start for this model citizen. Next it will be people, he enjoys hurting and torture, next head of the CIA or serial killer? Ted bundy watch-out this guy looking to break your recored.

[timothyjo]

hopefully he gets some time he will find .having spending time in prison myself mhe will get his simple a ss beat quicker for hurting animal than killing people boys in trouble !! sick kid even sicker parents !

[Biggercat]

Obviously this monster's parents never taught him,"whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you unto me." I have no use for any human that treats a defenseless animal with such evil. This should be a HUGE red flag for any future this dirtbag has in a civil community. He has no respect for a life he deems expendable..another Son of Sam waiting in the wings..put the little smiling bastard away for life..or give him to me for ten short minutes.

[funslideds]

sociopath, shmosociopath.

the only reason the DSM (the book that psychologists and such use to help with diagnoses) changed the name "psychopath" to "sociopath" was to 'decrease stigma' for that diagnosis!

They did the same thing for "manic depression" to "bi-polar" (I think the older name is better, anyhow!).

Approximately one (1) per cent of the general pop are psychopaths. Many learn to live within society quite well.

Psychopaths cannot be 'cured', but they may be able to stay out of trouble.

[tb_whiteness]

They're just cats...

[6591Hou]

You are correct, most people who have pets would be shocked to find out that their value (in the eyes of the law) is roughly comparable to luggage. Case in point: In my state if your pet dies due to vet malpractice, you can only recover the cost of replacing the animal (if you can prove what you paid for it). This kid is apparently mentally ill, but the law does not see the cats as being anything other than property.

[laurgardens]

This Punk needs to be scared straight. He thinks killing helpless creatures makes him bad. He needs to find out what bad really is - a long prison sentence. He definitely cannot be rehabilitated by probation and shrink visits. He may even skin his shrink so he can hear what it sounds like. He needs to be diffused.

[cs4466]

He deserves our pity - and a straitjacket.

[Questionews]

Let cats get even. Smother him in gravy & throw him a lion cage!