GPS Tracking

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PALMETTO BAY, FL – An 18-year-old south Florida man accused of a series of cat killings is out on bond; and his whereabouts are being monitored by a Global Positioning System bracelet.

Tyler Weinman of Palmetto Bay is also ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation and counseling while his case makes its way through the Miami-Dade County courts.

Police arrested Weinman June 14 and charged him with 19 counts of animal cruelty, 19 counts of improper disposal of an animal’s body and four counts of burglary.

Since April, 33 cats have been reported dead in Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay on the southern tip of Florida. Nineteen are being linked to Weinman, who detectives say is the ringleader of a group of criminals. The animals were stalked, captured and violently killed, often gutted and mutilated, and the bodies were placed on their owners’ properties.

His attorney Michael Walsh said he is “a good kid who’s a victim of circumstances.”

Reports say police became interested in Weinman after viewing postings on social networking sites Facebook and MySpace. When they questioned him they allegedly observed scratch marks on his body consistent with those inflicted by a struggling cat.

Police got a judge’s permission to place a GPS tracking device on his car. The vehicle tracking report allegedly showed Weinman was in certain places at times when the cat killings were believed to have taken place. When questioned, he was unaware the vehicle tracking device was on his car and he denied he was in the areas in question.

Walsh defended Weinman, pointing out that the areas are along routes the suspect would have driven regularly between his parents’ homes. Weinman’s parents Douglas and Alba Weinman, are separated.

Weinman appeared in court June 16 and bond was set at $249,000.  The judge ruled that he was competent and didn’t appear to be a threat to himself or others. He posted bail and is undergoing counseling. He must wear a GPS-based electronic monitoring bracelet. Weinman is set to answer to the charges at an arraignment July 6.

Many following the case were disturbed that the suspect seemed unaffected by the arrest. He smiled for his mug shot and during court proceedings.

Defense attorney Walsh is yet to see the evidence prosecutors have against his client. Probable cause is sealed in the court file. Police suspect there might be more people involved in the crimes and said releasing information now would threaten the investigation.

Walsh claims police acted too quickly and without solid evidence, due to public outcry over the grisly cat killings.