Watch CBS News

Did a Neighborhood of Cats Commit Suicide? No Human DNA Found on Their Corpses

(AP/Miami-Dade State Attorney Office)
NEW YORK (CBS) Last June, Tyler Weinman was charged with mutilating and killing 19 cats in his South Florida neighborhood, but new evidence shows that no traces of DNA were found on the cats' corpses.

Tyler Weinman, 18, after his arrest in connection with a series of cat killings and mutilations on June 14, 2009.

The 19-year-old was charged with killing the cats over a span of a few months in the summer of 2009. Miami-Dade police charged him with 19 counts of animal cruelty, improperly disposing of an animal body, and four counts of burglary.

Florida police swabbed the mouths and paws of the cat corpses but were unable to find human blood or skin cells, says CBS affiliate WFOR.

The accused cat killer may have caught a break because no human DNA was found, but he's not cleared yet. The station said prosecutors are still awaiting results of tests on scalpels, clothes and other items taken from Weinman's home.

According to Miami station WTVJ, a court document released last July, states Weinman allegedly tried to cut a deal with police. "OK, so let me see if I understand. As long as I tell you about the cats that I did, you can get rid of the others?," Weinman allegedly asked detectives before his arrest.

The accused killer's lawyer said this new evidence exonerates his client.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
July 6, 2009 - Miami Police Call Accused Kitty Killer A Sociopath
June 17, 2009 - Breaking: Alleged Kitty Killer's Father Speaks Out
June 17, 2009 - Alleged Kitty Killer Makes Bail
June 15, 2009 - $249,500 Bond For Alleged Cat Serial Killer
June 15, 2009 - Cat's In The Bag; Kitty Killer Caught, Say Police
August 25, 2009 - Courtroom "Cat-astrophe": 100 Witness Could be Called in Kitty Killer Case

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue