Florida teen charged in cat killings, mutilations

updated 4:49 p.m. ET June 15, 2009

MIAMI - A South Florida teenager accused of gruesomely killing and mutilating nearly two dozen cats must undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he is released, a judge ruled Monday.

Tyler Hayes Weinman, 18, remained quiet during the hearing, a day after he was charged with 19 counts each of animal cruelty and improperly disposing of an animal body.

In the past month, residents in two Miami neighborhoods found more than two dozen dead cats. Some had been skinned, and it appears a sharp, straight instrument was used in some cases, police said.

Many of the felines were found in the same neighborhoods where Weinman splits his time living with his divorced parents.

Authorities said they had been watching Weinman for some time, but have not released any evidence against him. The arrest warrant remained sealed. The teen was questioned several weeks ago when he was whisked away from his prom. But authorities have been tightlipped about what led them to the charges.

More arrests?
Police said more arrests might be coming, but declined to name suspects.

Weinman's attorney, David W. Macey, said "the investigation is being run by a lynch mob mentality" after Monday's hearing.

An arrest report shows Weinman was arrested last month in a separate incident for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license.

Elliot Evins, a friend who lives in the same neighborhood where many of the cats were killed, said he was surprised by the arrest.

"He is not an angry person in the least bit. He's never erupted on anyone or shown anything that would make me nervous or be anything related to what he's accused of," Evins said.

Experts say cruelty toward cats, as opposed to other animals, can fulfill a deeper need for control. Cats, unlike dogs, can be more difficult to control. They don't come when they're called and are often more independent, said Dr. Randall Lockwood of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and author of "Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty."

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