Teen walks free after self-defense claim in mother's death; both parents died tragically

A Florida jury acquitted a teen in the 2024 stabbing death of his mother, a little more than a year after his involvement in his father's shooting death in Oklahoma. The teen claimed self-defense in both cases.

Thursday, February 6th 2025, 7:18 am

By: Lisa Monahan

A Florida jury acquitted a teenager in the stabbing death of his mother in his second self-defense claim involving a parent, court records show.

Collin Griffith, now 17, was on trial in Polk County, Florida, for the 2024 murder and kidnapping of his mother, 39-year-old Catherine Griffith.

Griffith told 911 dispatchers his mother “fell on a knife” during a “very long fight” at his grandmother’s home in Auburndale, Florida, according to court records.

Investigators charged Griffith in his mother's murder after the autopsy determined her injuries were inconsistent with his story.

The case comes after a deadly encounter in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, one year earlier.

In 2023, Griffith, then 15, shot and killed his father, Charles Griffith, 43, at their home on East 900 Road.

Griffith was arrested in connection to the shooting death of his father. Following an investigation by the OSBI, Lincoln County District Attorney Adam Panter said the evidence showed a legitimate case of self-defense.

Panter said the evidence indicated the two got into an argument that became physical.

According to court records, Griffith’s father, armed with a knife, chased his son into a bedroom, backing him into a corner where a loaded rifle was located.

Griffith told investigators his father lunged at him, which is when he shot his father.

No formal charges were filed in Oklahoma, and Griffith was released to his mother at her request. The two moved to Polk County, Florida. Within a year, Catherine Griffith was dead and Collin Griffith was in police custody for a second time.

“When you look at this you see a kid, but when I look at him, I see a psychopath,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said of Griffith’s arrest in Florida.

Following Griffith's latest arrest in Florida, Lincoln County DA Panter told News 9 that he would take another look at the father's death, if credible evidence is presented in this case.

Lisa Monahan

Lisa Monahan is an award-winning journalist, born and raised in Oklahoma City, and thrilled to be working for the news station she grew up watching. She currently anchors at Noon and files special reports for News9.