Photo Credit: LA Times (March 7, 2011)

After numerous years since the alleged murders occurred, and three years since the mistrial of one victim in 2012, the re-trial of former Oakland Raider Anthony Wayne Smith began this past Monday in Lancaster Superior Court.

Mr. Smith is accused of killing four men between 1999 and 2008 in Los Angeles and in the Antelope Valley.

In 2012, Mr. Smith, now 48, was tried for the 2008 murder of Maurilio Ponce, but a jury hung 8-4 in favor of Mr. Smith’s guilt resulted in a mistrial.

Subsequent investigation into the older murders led to new developments, which caused the government to combine this trial for all of the murders allegedly committed by Mr. Smith.

During opening arguments, the prosecution emphasized the amount of evidence that would prove Mr. Smith’s guilt, including inculpatory evidence about the location of his car and suspicious calls made from his cell phone.

The defense, however, contended that there is neither any DNA or forensic evidence nor any eyewitnesses to connect Mr. Smith to the murder. The defense also asserted that reports provided by later witnesses do not fit the description of Mr. Smith.

If convicted Mr. Smith faces the possibility of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The trial is expected to last for at least a month.

Ronald G. Brower is a criminal defense attorney in Orange County, California with more than 30 years of experience representing individuals charged with a range of crimes, including the most serious.

Contact the Law Office of Ronald G. Brower to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney.