Collin Griffith is a Florida teenager who killed both of his parents in separate incidents roughly eighteen months apart and was never convicted in either case. In February 2023, when he was 15, he fatally shot his father in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, and prosecutors dropped the first-degree murder charge within weeks after concluding they could not rule out self-defense. In September 2024, his mother was killed by a knife wound to the neck at a home in Auburndale, Florida. A Polk County jury acquitted him of first-degree murder and kidnapping on February 5, 2025.
The 2023 Shooting of His Father in Oklahoma
On February 14, 2023, Griffith called 911 from a residence near Stroud in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, to report that he had shot and killed his father, Charles Robert Griffith.1Lincoln County News. Affidavit Released in Fatal Shooting He told dispatchers his father had cornered him in a bedroom with a knife and that he had no choice but to fire. Charles Griffith was struck once in the chest and once in the head.2Fox 13 News. Florida Teen Accused of Killing Mother Learns His Fate
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation worked the scene and noted inconsistencies between the physical evidence and Griffith’s initial account to dispatchers.1Lincoln County News. Affidavit Released in Fatal Shooting He was charged with first-degree murder. Less than a month later, Lincoln County District Attorney Adam Panter dropped the charges, saying his office “could not rule out that Griffith acted in self-defense.”3KOKO 5 News. Father Shot and Killed in Lincoln County Panter later said investigators had found physical evidence at the home consistent with the knife-cornering account and that the case was not closed; any new, relevant, and credible evidence would trigger re-evaluation.4KOCO 5 News. Oklahoma Lincoln County Murder Case Self-Defense Shooting There were no witnesses other than Griffith himself.
What Happened Between the Two Deaths
After his father’s death, Griffith moved to Florida to live with his mother, Catherine Griffith. In November 2023, Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic violence call at Catherine’s home in Port Charlotte. She told deputies her then-16-year-old son had pushed her to the ground and stomped on her after she took away his video game privileges.5ABC News. Teen Arrested in Mother Stabbing He was taken into custody and placed on active juvenile probation with a no-contact order prohibiting any contact with his mother.
Body-worn camera footage from that period captured Griffith’s grandmother relaying that he had refused to go home and had asked to be placed in foster care. A corporal on scene discouraged him, telling him that “foster care isn’t good for you.”6Court TV. Teen Pleads for Help Before Mother’s Murder He was released the following day and returned to his mother’s home. Hours later, he was involuntarily committed under Florida’s Baker Act after jail staff reported he had said he wanted to kill his mother.7MySuncoast. Teen Who Allegedly Killed His Mom Is Questioned by Deputies
The 2024 Killing of His Mother in Florida
On September 8, 2024, Catherine Griffith drove from Port Charlotte to Auburndale in Polk County to pick up her son from his grandmother Susan Dethman’s home. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Catherine was concerned Griffith was violating ongoing court orders.8ABC 7 Chicago. Florida Teen Collin Griffith Found Not Guilty Witnesses saw the two arguing outside on Hewlett Drive, then saw Griffith grab his mother by the hair and drag her inside. Catherine was heard pleading, “Let me go.”9Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Arrests 17-Year-Old for Murdering His Mother
About an hour and fifteen minutes later, around 6:15 p.m., Griffith called 911 and told dispatchers that his mother had “fell on a knife.”10The Ledger. Differing Tales Offered of Mother’s Death in Collin Griffith Murder Trial Catherine, 39, had a deep penetrating knife wound to the neck so severe that first responders could see the floor through it, along with a wound to her hand. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy determined the neck injury was “inconsistent with an accidental injury.” Griffith himself had no visible injuries.9Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Arrests 17-Year-Old for Murdering His Mother
He was charged with first-degree murder (a capital felony), kidnapping, and violation of the no-contact order from his juvenile probation.
The Trial in Bartow
The case went to trial in late January 2025 in Bartow, Florida, with Assistant State Attorney Mark Levine prosecuting and defense attorney Amy Porinchak Thornhill representing Griffith.10The Ledger. Differing Tales Offered of Mother’s Death in Collin Griffith Murder Trial
Levine argued the killing was premeditated, telling the jury it was “Operation kill mom accomplished.” He pointed to prior statements in which Griffith described wanting to kill his mother by throwing her from a car, shooting her, or stabbing her, calling stabbing a “reoccurring theme.” Catherine’s father, Robert Walantas, testified that his grandson had told him, “I want to slit her throat” and “I’m tired of these two bitches / want to see them bleed out,” referring to his mother and grandmother.11Scripps News. FL v. Collin Griffith Deadly Son Murder Trial Deputy Keri Welch testified that Griffith had previously told law enforcement he might push his mother and grandmother out of a car, stab them, or shoot them, and that he claimed to have “done it before,” a reference to his father’s death.12Court TV. FL v. Collin Griffith Deadly Son Murder Trial
Thornhill argued that Griffith acted in self-defense during a prolonged fight. The defense described Catherine as “unpredictable” and “erratic” and advanced a theory of “suicide by son,” arguing that Catherine knowingly picked up a knife and threatened her son.12Court TV. FL v. Collin Griffith Deadly Son Murder Trial The defense’s key witness was Susan Dethman, Griffith’s grandmother and Catherine’s own mother. Dethman told the jury that Catherine had a history of lying, suicide attempts, and estranged family relationships, and alleged that Catherine had been violent toward her son, beating him with a belt, holding a weight over his head, and once handing him a gun with instructions to kill her. Dethman said she believed her grandson did not murder her daughter.13Court TV. Collin Griffith’s Grandmother Says Victim Had History of Lying
On the kidnapping count, Thornhill noted that Ring doorbell footage did not show Griffith forcing his mother through the front door, that the doors were unlocked, and that no scalp injuries were found on Catherine to support the claim she was dragged by her hair.12Court TV. FL v. Collin Griffith Deadly Son Murder Trial
The Acquittal
The jury was instructed to consider lesser charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and false imprisonment, and began deliberations on February 4, 2025. In less than twelve hours, on February 5, 2025, it returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts.8ABC 7 Chicago. Florida Teen Collin Griffith Found Not Guilty Levine declined to comment after the verdict.14WESH. Florida Teen Who Killed Father Acquitted in Murder of Mom Griffith, then 17, was processed and released from jail. Family friends told reporters they were unsure where he would live.
The Oklahoma case involving Charles Robert Griffith’s death remains technically open. DA Adam Panter has said that if relevant and credible evidence is presented, his office would re-evaluate whether the shooting was murder rather than self-defense. As of early 2025, the OSBI had not been asked by Lincoln County authorities to reopen the investigation.4KOCO 5 News. Oklahoma Lincoln County Murder Case Self-Defense Shooting