Accused Cat Killer Released From Jail

PALMETTO BAY, Fla. -- Tyler Weinman, the teen accused of killing and mutilating at least 19 cats in South Florida in recent months has been released from jail.

Weinman, 18, posted bond on Tuesday, but could not be released pending results of his psychiatric evaluation.

Judge John Thornton released Weinman, saying the teen was "competent" to be released under electronic monitoring. Thornton said Weinman would be allowed to attend the counseling recommended by a doctor.

Weinman's father and stepmother were present at the hearing but they left the courtroom without comment.

As Weiman awaited the results of a psychiatric evaluation to determine his immediate fate, friends of the Weiman family spoke with Local 10 about the man police said is responsible for killing and mutilating at least 19 cats in his South Florida community.

They described him as "smart, polite, a nice young man" -- the polar opposite of the teen accused of 19 counts of animal cruelty, four counts of burglary and 19 counts of improper disposing of an animal's body.

Friends told Local 10's Jonathan Vigliotti that the family has taken their son’s arrest very hard.

“She’s a good person. She volunteers and takes care of the elderly. She can’t believe this is happening,” said Robert Ehrman about Weinman’s mother, Alba.

The two moved in across the street from Ehrman 3 years ago, after the teen's mother separated from his father.

Alba Weinmen spoke with Ehrman the night her son was arrested.

"She was just devastated, shaken that this would happen," Ehrman said.

Friends of Weinman’s father and stepmother said they are overwhelmed by the development.

Since Weinman's arrest, the family's personal information -- from phone numbers to addresses -- has been published on blogs throughout the Internet. The Wienmans have allegedly received threatening phone calls at home and at work.

Detectives said they have no doubt Weinman is the ringleader of a group that stalked, captured and violently killed cats ins the Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay area. Miami-Dade police say that of the 33 dead cats reported since April, 19 of them are being linked to Weinman.

If found guilty, Weinman could face time in prison. But family friends said that until then, it is important to treat him as innocent until proven guilty.