GUILTY NC - Melissa Huggins-Jones, 30, murdered in her Raleigh home, 14 May 2013

[Madeleine74]

Jury wanted a 15 min break. Before I jump to conclusions, this is normally the time they get a break. Wonder if they've already determined guilt?

 

[Boodles]

I can't even imagine what the jurors would have to debate. What's to talk about? TS was on the balcony wiping the railing, he had blood on his shirt, washed his hands with bottled water and "MB" said he told him he punched her first.

I wonder how nutso "MB" seemed (if at all) on the stand. I only question this because if all the talk about his mental health issues.

But even if he seemed less than credible, still, it does seem like a slam dunk.

 

[Madeleine74]

MB knew details about the crime and details about Smith that he couldn't have found out any other way but from Smith directly. Even if you think he's crazy, that doesn't mean his information is incorrect. Smith talked and Smith told details about the crime.

 

[Madeleine74]

A cigar is just a cigar. Jurors just wanted their usual 3pm break. Back to deliberations.

At ease...

 

[Boodles]

Action in courtroom 3:56pm

 

[borndem]

All dots connected, great closing.

Will the jury return a verdict today? I think they just do G/NG at this point, sentencing later? Trying to remember how the Jason Williford trial went down...

The sentence will be given by the judge as soon as the final verdict is given. If first degree murder, after the penalty trial is concluded -- DP or LWOP. If 2nd, the judge will assess it according to the Structured Sentencing Guidelines -- it's based on prior felony penalty points and whether the judge deems it --- hold the phone

VERDICT!!!!!!!!
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[Boodles]

Fastest verdict I've ever seen!

 

[Madeleine74]

GUILTY!!!!!!

Premeditation AND Felony Murder!!

 

[Madeleine74]

Same length of deliberations as the Joanna Madonna trial in Wake County a few months ago. About an hour or so.

 

[Madeleine74]

I don't think he'll get death but I do think he and Anthony deserve it. Anthony, as we know, took a plea to avoid the DP.

 

[colette]

He may get death, he needs it.

 

[Madeleine74]

I think he deserves it. At first I didn't. I changed my mind.

 

[borndem]

MSM from Raleigh, NC, News & Observer:

Jury finds Smith guilty of first-degree murder in North Hills murder trial

Six women, six men on Travion Smith jury brought verdict
Prosecutors argue for first-degree and felony murder
Defense: Only witness to put Smith inside apartment had credibility issues

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/lo...html#emlnl=Breaking_News_Alerts#storylink=cpy
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from WRAL:

Smith found guilty in North Hills murder

Posted 12:41 p.m. today
Updated 6 minutes ago


Raleigh, N.C. — After deliberating for about an hour Tuesday afternoon, a jury found Travion Smith guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 30-year-old Melissa Huggins-Jones, a Raleigh mom who was killed in her North Hills apartment in May 2013.
Read more at http://www.wral.com/smith-found-guilty-in-north-hills-murder/15376045/#LFxeXFrTLxBruXxW.99

 

[borndem]

Ed Crump ‏@EdCrumpABC11 [video=twitter;699711287341748225]https://twitter.com/EdCrumpABC11/status/699711287341748225[/video] Attorneys guesstimating 2-3 days for death penalty phase. #TravionSmithTrial #ABC11

 

[borndem]

Ed Crump ‏@EdCrumpABC11 [video=twitter;699710965076598784]https://twitter.com/EdCrumpABC11/status/699710965076598784[/video] Victim's family relieved by verdict. #TravionSmithTrial #ABC11 Details coming up at 5 and 6 PM.

0 retweets 1 like

 

[borndem]

He may get death, he needs it.

Agreed -- IMO, this jury doesn't fool around...

I wonder if anyone at the defense table was surprised at the verdict.

 

[Madeleine74]

I don't think either defense attorney expected anything different. They've been preparing for the penalty phase this whole time. That was pretty clear to me. They knew the score and they saw the evidence. I doubt anyone was surprised by the verdict. I sure wasn't.

 

[Chelly]

Ed Crump ‏@EdCrumpABC11 2h2 hours ago
Attorneys guesstimating 2-3 days for death penalty phase. #TravionSmithTrial #ABC11

 

[Nymeria]

Fastest verdict I've ever seen!

I know, right?
I was working and almost missed it, was that fast!

 

[Lots2Learn]

Thank you for all the updates. Glad he was found guilty. Now let's hope he gets DP.


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