Collin Griffith: NOT GUILTY! Did a Florida Teen Get Away with Murder—Twice?

On September 8, 2024, 17-year-old Collin Griffith called 911 from his grandmother’s house in Auburndale, Florida. His voice was calm as he told the dispatcher that he and his mother, Catherine Griffith, had gotten into a heated argument. Then, he claimed, she had chased him around the house with a knife—until she tripped, fell, and accidentally stabbed herself in the neck.

“I’ve had a very, very long fight with my mom, and she fell on a knife. She’s bleeding from the neck.”

When police arrived, they expected to find a hysterical teenager, traumatized by the horrific accident he had just witnessed. Instead, they found Collin—eerily calm, covered in blood, and completely unbothered. He didn’t show a hint of distress over his mother lying inside, bleeding out from a deep neck wound. And when police asked what happened, his response was immediate:

“I know my rights. I want a lawyer.”

A Troubling Pattern

Collin’s behavior set off alarm bells, but when investigators dug into his past, things became even more unsettling. This wasn’t the first time someone had died under mysterious circumstances while alone with him.

Just a year earlier, on February 14, 2023, Collin—then 15 years old—called 911 from his home in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. This time, he said his father, Charles Griffith, had chased him with a knife and cornered him. In self-defense, Collin claimed, he grabbed a conveniently placed shotgun and fired two fatal shots—one to the head and one to the chest.

Something didn’t sit right with authorities. The evidence at the scene didn’t fully support Collin’s version of events. But despite their suspicions, prosecutors couldn’t disprove his self-defense claim. His mother, Catherine, posted his $50,000 bond, and within months, the charges were dropped. With nowhere else to go, Collin moved to Florida to live with her.

A Volatile Household

Catherine’s social media painted a picture of a doting mother. She shared photos of vacations, beach days, and smiling moments with Collin. She bought him gifts, including a brand-new Volkswagen Jetta. But behind closed doors, their relationship was far from perfect.

Neighbors recalled hearing intense arguments. In November 2023, Collin was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly kneeing his mother in the groin and dragging her by the hair. His grandmother, who witnessed the altercation, told officers he had anger issues and dismissed his claims of self-defense.

It wasn’t just physical aggression—Collin’s threats were chilling. In September 2023, his school called police after he claimed Catherine had urged him to kill her. While Catherine denied his version of events, Collin was involuntarily committed under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows authorities to detain individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others.

While hospitalized, he reportedly told staff:

“If I go home, I’m going to kill myself or someone else.”

“I’ve done it before—to my dad. I know I can do it again.”

Despite these warnings, Collin was eventually released. And within months, Catherine was dead.

The Last Argument

Days before the fatal 911 call, Collin had another explosive argument with his mother and ran away to his grandmother’s empty house. Catherine, exhausted and frustrated, texted neighbors about her ongoing struggles with her son.

One message stood out. She warned that if Collin didn’t return home, she would release Ring camera footage that allegedly showed him confessing to his father’s murder—not in self-defense, but as a premeditated act.

On September 8, Catherine drove to Auburndale to bring him home. Two hours later, Collin called 911.

The Case Falls Apart

Collin’s story didn’t hold up under scrutiny. The house wasn’t in disarray, as one would expect after a chaotic chase. The wound on Catherine’s neck was deep—too deep to be an accident. The medical examiner ruled that it was an intentional stabbing.

Collin was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. Prosecutors pushed to try him as an adult, and at trial, they argued that Catherine had threatened to expose his dark secret. With his confession allegedly on video, Collin had to silence her.

But the defense fought back. They claimed Catherine had a history of erratic behavior and even suggested she may have staged her own death.

“Isn’t it also reasonable that Cathy knew what the outcome was going to be?”Collin’s attorney argued. “You’ve heard of suicide by cop—couldn’t this have been suicide by son?”

The Verdict

After more than 11 hours of deliberation, the jury delivered its decision: Not guilty.

Collin Griffith was acquitted of both first-degree murder and kidnapping. He would walk free.

One key detail? The jury was told that Collin had previously shot someone in self-defense—but they were never informed that the victim was his father.

What Happens Now?

Collin is set to be released from jail. Meanwhile, Oklahoma authorities are reportedly reconsidering his father’s case. If new evidence emerges, he could face prosecution again.

But for now, he’s a free man.

So, did Collin Griffith get away with murder—twice? Or was he just a troubled teenager, pushed to his limits? I’m doing a deep dive soon where we are going to discuss ALLLLL OF IT!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.