Sen. Cicarella Seeks More Answers on ‘Cannibal’ Killer Oversight, Communication with Public

Senior Deputy Republican Leader Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven), ranking member of the Public Safety and Security Committee, today raised his concerns regarding the oversight of, and public communication surrounding, Tyree Smith of Bridgeport, whose conditional release case has drawn international attention.

On Feb. 24, Sen. Cicarella and Senate Republican leaders wrote to the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board Executive Director, Vanessa Cardella, seeking information on the circumstances surrounding the board’s “conditional” release parameters after the victim’s family raised strenuous objections to the release.

Cardella’s Feb. 26 response, and other unrelated media reports, raised additional public safety concerns for Sen. Cicarella.

“First, I understand that mental health is a serious issue, and we must provide those suffering from illness the tools they need. However, the more information I receive, the more my concern grows. I’ve seen coverage that this individual is under ‘24/7 supervision’ by professionals and that he is required to wear an ankle monitor. Is the use of the ankle monitor in addition to in-person supervision, or in lieu of it?

“We have seen, statewide, that ankle monitors are not always effective, as offenders often remove them entirely or go on to re-offend while the monitor is attached. This is a serious concern. Equally alarming, I am led to believe that neighbors of the group home in which he resides have not been informed of the situation because the PSRB is not required to do so by law. This is a problem.

“Finally, what’s missing from the conversation is the terrible precedent set by a similar case in 1989 in Middletown, where a Connecticut Valley Hospital inmate on a ‘day pass’ stabbed a nine-year-old girl to death on Main Street—this young girl’s uncle is my constituent. While I want Mr. Smith to get the help he needs, I do not want history to repeat itself,” said Sen. Cicarella.