GUILTY MN - Byron Smith charged with murder after shooting 2 teens

[ohiogirl]

Wow, look at the difference in the picture from today and from before. Amazing.

 

[ohiogirl]

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trial-set-to-begins-for-minnesota-man-who-shot-teens-in-his-home/

"There will always be those people that think that he did nothing wrong, regardless of the facts," Wetzel told the AP last week. "But once all the facts are known, I think the number of people who think he did nothing wrong is going to be reduced dramatically."

 

[Rubys]

He certainly ended up with a good lawyer! The Meshbeshers have been a huge name in criminal defense in MN for a long time. They are involved in lots of high profile cases. This lawyers father got Margorie Congdon off in the Glensheen murders in the 70's. That was the game clue in real life.

 

[ohiogirl]

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/04/16/jury-picked-to-hear-little-falls-murder-case/

After three days of jury selection, seven men and seven women have been picked to sit on the jury. Two of those 14 will be alternates.

Opening statements in the case are expected to begin on Monday.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Homeowner who shot teenage 'burglars' in his basement before killing them with 'a good clean finishing shot to the head' DENIES murder as he claims self defense

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ome-claims-defense-attorney-murder-trial.html

 

[buffetoflies]

Anther article from a bit ago that describes what what on: http://www.startribune.com/local/256112661.html

What's always confused me about this is, he shot the first one that came down... so why did the other one go down too? Nothing has ever been said about her having a gun, but why would she have gone down the stairs after him? She knew byron had a gun.. so if she didn't have any protection for herself, why did she go down the stairs?!

This is the local fb that has coverage: https://www.facebook.com/CBSMinnesota

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

What the ?.....he recorded it?

'You're dying... b****!' Court hears the audio recording homeowner made of himself shooting dead two teens who broke into his basement

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...h-shooting-dead-two-teens-broke-basement.html

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

from above link:

"The horrifying audiotape came after jurors listened to an interview from the day after the shootings in which Smith matter-of-factly described what happened in chilling detail, telling authorities he finished Kifer off with a shot under her chin because a .22-caliber 'doesn't go through bone very well.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...d-two-teens-broke-basement.html#ixzz2zeJlGlbF
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[lonetraveler]

Amazing when looking at the pictures of the two teens, you would never assume they would be out robbing houses. It really does open your eyes to the fact that looks can be very deceiving!

This is a hard case. I understand the charges and that he really should not have executed the teens militia style. I am using the words militia style and execution based on the words of Mr. Smith himself and the feeling I get from the words he used. I think Mr. Smith could very well be suffering from some kind of PTSD or any kind of mental issues whether it's based on old age or his time overseas?

When all is said and done though, the teens had no right to be in Mr. Smith's home. He had every right to protect his property and his life from what he deemed as a threat.

Like I said earlier. This case will be up to a jury and I understand the charges. I just don't think the teens should be looked at as some innocent victims when they were not.

MOO

Tonight's the first time I have heard about this case and immediately searched for a thread. I agree, this man could very well be suffering from PTSD. Something else I'd like to comment on; the ages of the deceased and the gender of the young woman. IMO the ages are irrelevant to the case and I don't think that the jurors should consider the ages. As all of us know who follow cases on Websleuthes, teenagers are often killers and many of them kill older people during home invasions. Doesn't really matter how old you are when you are breaking into someone's home with the intent to steal. It was only a matter of time before these two invaded a home with someone there and I have no problem thinking that these two would have taken the homeowner's life to keep anyone from identifying them. This man had a reason to be afraid and had a reason to defend himself and his property.

Gender should also not be a factor to consider in this trial. Young females murder too. You can search this web site or just google or just watch ID tv or HLN trial coverage.

That said, I'm wondering how people would feel if it was a young female sitting there reading a book and two men invaded the home and she shot them multiple times. Hummmmmmmmmm.

This man obviously did "over kill" actions and that is hard to explain, especially since he gave his account of what happened and described his actions in his very own words. Surely his attorney has had him evaluated for PTSD. This is one jury I definitely would not want to be on.

IMO this man definitely has mental issues.

 

[lonetraveler]

Looks like the cousins had been up to no good robbing other people's homes and taking prescriptions drugs

http://www.startribune.com/local/181119611.html?refer=y

LE was called about the boy's car and questioned the boy when he approached. He gave the "I ran out of gas" story and said that the girl had gone for gas. Real story was that they had been busy robbing another home.

 

[sweetcaro]

That recording is sickening. She was no longer a threat when down and he decided to finish her off while calling her a *****. Two wrongs don't make a right and this two teens are dead. I am disgusted at what has been brought to light by these recordings.

 

[ohiogirl]

I agree with you, lonetraveler, this guy has some issues. Who waits until the next day with 2 bodies in your basement to call LE. He didn't want to spoil their holiday? That's just not rational in my book.

 

[ohiogirl]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25320463/byron-smith-trial-judge-denies-mistrial

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (KMSP) -

Byron Smith’s defense attorneys asked the judge for a mistrial Wednesday, arguing they did not have access to ballistic report notes used in the testimony of a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension forensic scientist.

The mistrial request was quickly denied by Morrison County Judge Douglas Anderson, but he allowed Smith’s team to take a break to examine the scientist's notes

Read more: BYRON SMITH TRIAL: Judge denies mistrial - KMSP-TV http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25320463/byron-smith-trial-judge-denies-mistrial#ixzz2zjCR1vTo

 

[ohiogirl]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25308614/byron-smith-trial-audio-of-shootings-evokes-emotion

On Monday, jurors also got the chance to listen to Smith explain, in his own words, how he killed the two teenage intruders.

Read more: BYRON SMITH TRIAL: Chilling audio of Little Falls shootings - KMSP-TV http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/stor...dio-of-shootings-evokes-emotion#ixzz2zjCv0L9o

 

[kittycat3]

So I wonder if there was a psychic eval on smith? Anyone know that info? I kind of feel sorry for him. I don't think those kids deserved to die, but they were taunting the neighborhood crazy guy. Did they expect a normal reaction from crazy man??

 

[ontheclock]

So I wonder if there was a psychic eval on smith? Anyone know that info? I kind of feel sorry for him. I don't think those kids deserved to die, but they were taunting the neighborhood crazy guy. Did they expect a normal reaction from crazy man??

Sad outcome.

 

[kittycat3]

I know, there is no happy ending here. 2 kids are gone and likely mr. Smith's free life is over too.

 

[ohiogirl]

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (KMSP) -

Byron Smith’s home in Little Falls, Minn. was peppered with audio and video surveillance equipment, and the recordings from those devices are delivering more fireworks in the retired State Department security engineer’s murder trial

Read more: BYRON SMITH TRIAL: 'I refuse to live in fear' - KMSP-TV http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25320463/byron-smith-trial-judge-denies-mistrial#ixzz2zpAQwu00

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

M.E.: Minn. homeowner shot teen burglars at close range

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/me-minn-homeowner-shot-teen-burglars-at-close-range/

 

[ohiogirl]

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (KMSP) -

Prosecutors have rested their case in the murder trial of Byron Smith, but his defense attorney, Steve Meshbesher, isn't showing his hand and it is still unknown whether Smith will testify in his own defense.

Read more: BYRON SMITH TRIAL: Brady shot 3 times, Kifer 6; prosecution rest - KMSP-TV http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/stor...rial-brady-shot-3-times-kifer-6#ixzz2zuaBvlKU