Jury deliberating murder case
Published 2:48 am Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A Conecuh County jury is set to return to deliberations today after hearing testimony in the trial of a man charged with killing a Brewton couple.
The trial of Michael Williams, charged in the November 2008, shooting deaths of Dennis and Donna Hall Smith, began Monday.
The jury heard closing arguments Tuesday, then began deliberations in the afternoon.
The defense argued Williams was acting in self defense. He did not take the stand during the trial.
The shootings occurred at Williams’ home in the Owassa community. The Smiths had driven to Williams’ house after the two men had reportedly argued over the phone.
Investigators said Donna Smith was shot at close range in the neck and shoulder, and then in the back of the neck. Reports said Dennis Smith was likely shot in the shoulder, possibly when his arm was shielding his face, and then a second time in the back.
Because witnesses initially told investigators the shootings occurred after an argument about the LSU-Alabama football game, the case made national headlines.