Former Oakland Raider defensive end Anthony Wayne Smith may be soon headed to prison for a crime he allegedly committed in 2008.
Though he denies any involvement in the incident, Smith and two others have been accused of being involved in the murder of Maurilio Ponce four years ago. According to the Los Angeles Times, Smith was found with Ponce's cellphone, car and keys.
In closing statements on Thursday, Deputy District Attorney Taly Peretz explained to the jury that the crime was not only committed by Smith, it was premeditated.
"Friendship, betrayal and lies – that's what this case is all about," Peretz explained. "There is no doubt that the person who committed this crime committed murder in the first degree."
She said that Smith had read a book called "Professional Killers: An Inside Look," which provides explanations of strategies used to commit a murder without getting caught.
The news source reports that defense attorney Michael Evans said there is no proof that Smith ever laid his hands on Ponce or had possession of a gun.
Peretz pointed out that based on Smith's cell phone records, he was not only in the vicinity of the crime, he also made a phone call to Ponce shortly before he was killed. But, Evans argued that Ponce didn't show up to the meeting Smith called him about and suggested that a witness saw another group of people flee the area, and it may have in fact been them that committed the crime.
Smith showed intense displays of emotion during the investigation, but Peretz tried to discount his weeping as "crocodile tears."
With little evidence, it can be very difficult for prosecutors to accuse someone of committing a crime. That's why it's important for any Californian who's facing serious charges to seek legal guidance from a trusted criminal lawyer.
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