Gunman accused of killing Caltech genius was only just released from jail by soft-on-crime CA law — weapons charge mysteriously dropped
By Jeremy Louwerse
Published Feb. 22, 2026, 5:06 p.m. ET
A gunman accused of shooting dead a world-famous Caltech genius last week was let out of jail just two months ago despite a felony gun charge, the California Post has learned.
Freddy Snyder was released by a judge using an “unnecessary prosecutions” law in December — before allegedly going on to kill Carl Grillmair in Llano last week.
Carl Grillmair, a Caltech scientist, pictured from the chest up, with a short brown beard and white and grey striped shirt.
The 29-year-old was picked up two days before Christmas for carrying a loaded firearm and an attempted jail escape, but was released on his own recognizance.
The felony case was suddenly dismissed under the Penal Code 1385 California, often referred to as PC 1385, a code ultimately decided by the judge.
https://nypost.com/2026/02/22/us-news/freddy-snyder-accused-of-murdering-caltech-genius-carl-grillmair-had-prior-felonies-dismissed/
