A 17-year-old with a history of violent behavior allegedly killed his mother 18 months after killing his father in what he called an act of self-defense. Catherine Griffith, 39, was reportedly stabbed to death inside her mother's home in Port Charlotte, Florida, on September 8. Collin Griffith called 911 for help and allegedly told a dispatcher his mother lunged at him with a knife and then fell on the weapon, causing a fatal wound to her neck.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the media in a news conference on September 11, detailing Griffith's violent past with both of his parents. After his father, Charles Griffith, died, the teenager was able to convince police he was acting in self-defense before shooting the 41-year-old man. Charges were dropped, but Griffith's penchant for anger and violence seemingly did not.
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Griffith and his mother apparently had a rocky relationship.
Judd told the media that after Griffith's father's death in February 2023, the teenager lived with his mother in Florida. He attended an alternative high school in Charlotte and eventually began taking classes at a community college.
It appears Griffith did not like to be disciplined, and his grandmother told police he had attacked his mother in the past when she tried to control his behavior. At one point, he allegedly dragged his mother to the ground and stomped on her. He was arrested in November 2023 and charged with domestic battery against Catherine Griffith.
A neighbor witnessed a conflict between the mother and son.
Nancy Jones lives across the street from Griffith's grandmother and told WBHH she saw the pair arguing before the mother's death. She was sitting on her front porch around 4 p.m., when Griffith reportedly became aggressive with his mother.
"He just grabbed her. Looked like he grabbed her by the hair," Jones told the news outlet.
Approximately two hours later, Griffith called the sheriff's office and told a dispatcher "he had a fight with mom, and she is bleeding from the neck," WBHH reported.
Griffith apparently appeared calm when the police arrived.
Judd said at the media conference that when law enforcement arrived at Griffith's grandmother's home, he seemed "calm, cool, and collected." The teen immediately told police that he wanted a lawyer and knew "his rights."
Judd said many will look at Griffith's image and see a child, but he sees a "psychopath."
Catherine Griffith reached out to a friend prior to her death.
The unnamed friend shared text messages with Fox 4 exchanged with Catherine Griffith shortly before her death. The mother seemed fed up with her son.
Catherine Griffith wrote, "Collin just hates me and I'm tired of this crap."
She explained that Collin was violating his probation, refused to return to her home, and was hiding out at his grandmother's. She tried to get him to return, but he refused.
The last text she sent told the neighbor her plan. "He won't listen I am going to drive to get him and if he doesn't get in the car then Polk county can deal with him," she wrote.
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A medical examiner deemed Catherine Griffith's death was not an accident.
Per a release from the the sheriff's office, Catherine Griffith died from a deep penetrating knife wound to the neck. The medical examiner said the wound was "inconsistent with accidental injury."
Judd warned the community about Griffith.
"He's violent. He's dangerous. He's showed zero remorseā¦ zero remorse," he said.
"Everybody that should be special to him in his life is dead because they crossed him."
The sheriff's office recommended the teen be prosecuted as an adult. He was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and violation of a no-contact order.
