Appeals court rules murder conviction will stand
By
-
The 4th District Court of Appeals returned a decision denying William Smith's final attempt to have his conviction overturned, according to the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
Smith, who was found guilty of murder by a Highland County jury in 2008 has now exhausted all appeal options.
The decision, which came down Feb. 2010, denied Smith's request to reopen a prior appeal, the prosecutor's office said. The 4th District Court of Appeals has denied him relief on two occasions and the Ohio Supreme Court has declined to review at his case.
Smith, 61 of Highland County, was previousley sentenced to 28 years to life in prison following the murder conviction in Highland County Common Pleas Court, according to the prosecutor's office.
The State of Ohio was represented by Highland County Prosecuting Attorney, James B. Grandey and Highland County Assistant Prosecutor Anneka P. Collins.
Prosecutor Grandey said, "he is pleased with the decision and is glad the case is finished. The family of the victim, Lynn Lucas, can truly have closure at this point."
Grandey advised that "Anneka Collins personally phoned the family of the victim and gave them the good news."
In October 2007, a grand jury in Highland County issued a six-count indictment against Smith, of New Market Township. The specific counts were as follows:
Count 1: Murder, an unclassified felony, with a gun specification
Count 2: Voluntary Manslaughter, a felony of the first degree, with a gun specification
Count 3: Abuse of a Corpse, a felony of the fifth degree.
Count 4: Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the second degree.
Count 5: Felonious Assault, a felony of the second degree.
Count 6: Kidnapping, a felony of the second degree.
"Smith has been connected to the death of Lynn Lucas, at her Paint Township residence. A family member found the body of Lynn Lucas on February 5, 2007. The Highland County Coroner ruled the manner of death as a homicide caused by a single gunshot wound. Counts five and six resulted after investigation revealed that in February 2006, William H. Smith had allegedly become intoxicated and fired a handgun at a female acquaintance, who was at his residence. He then kept the female from leaving his residence for several hours," according to a press release from the Highland County Sheriff's Office.
The 4th District Court of Appeals returned a decision denying William Smith's final attempt to have his conviction overturned, according to the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
Smith, who was found guilty of murder by a Highland County jury in 2008 has now exhausted all appeal options.
The decision, which came down Feb. 2010, denied Smith's request to reopen a prior appeal, the prosecutor's office said. The 4th District Court of Appeals has denied him relief on two occasions and the Ohio Supreme Court has declined to review at his case.
Smith, 61 of Highland County, was previousley sentenced to 28 years to life in prison following the murder conviction in Highland County Common Pleas Court, according to the prosecutor's office.
The State of Ohio was represented by Highland County Prosecuting Attorney, James B. Grandey and Highland County Assistant Prosecutor Anneka P. Collins.
Prosecutor Grandey said, "he is pleased with the decision and is glad the case is finished. The family of the victim, Lynn Lucas, can truly have closure at this point."
Grandey advised that "Anneka Collins personally phoned the family of the victim and gave them the good news."
In October 2007, a grand jury in Highland County issued a six-count indictment against Smith, of New Market Township. The specific counts were as follows:
Count 1: Murder, an unclassified felony, with a gun specification
Count 2: Voluntary Manslaughter, a felony of the first degree, with a gun specification
Count 3: Abuse of a Corpse, a felony of the fifth degree.
Count 4: Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the second degree.
Count 5: Felonious Assault, a felony of the second degree.
Count 6: Kidnapping, a felony of the second degree.
"Smith has been connected to the death of Lynn Lucas, at her Paint Township residence. A family member found the body of Lynn Lucas on February 5, 2007. The Highland County Coroner ruled the manner of death as a homicide caused by a single gunshot wound. Counts five and six resulted after investigation revealed that in February 2006, William H. Smith had allegedly become intoxicated and fired a handgun at a female acquaintance, who was at his residence. He then kept the female from leaving his residence for several hours," according to a press release from the Highland County Sheriff's Office.
[[In-content Ad]]