The trial for Collin Griffith, a 17-year-old from Polk County, accused of murdering his mother, 39-year-old Catherine Griffith, continued on Thursday. The courtroom was tense as jurors heard graphic testimonies from forensic investigators and law enforcement officers involved in the case.
In the investigation, forensic experts testified about the blood evidence found at the crime scene. They described how, when they arrived on the scene in September 2024, Collin Griffith was found with blood on his hands, fingernails, clothes, and shoes. This evidence raised serious questions regarding his involvement in his mother’s death.
A medical examiner’s investigator also took the stand, explaining the injuries Catherine Griffith sustained and the forensic findings that indicated the cause of death. The testimony painted a chilling picture of the violent crime that took place in the family home.
Another key witness was a sergeant from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. He revealed that in 2023, Collin Griffith had previously expressed threats of violence toward his mother. The sergeant testified that Griffith had asked to be Baker Acted, stating he was either going to harm himself or his mother. This interaction occurred alongside an arrest for domestic violence against Catherine Griffith in the same year, further complicating the teenager’s mental state and history of violence.
The trial is set to continue Friday morning, with more testimonies expected to shed light on the tragic events that led to the death of Catherine Griffith. The jurors’ decision will ultimately determine whether the 17-year-old will be held accountable for his mother’s murder.