Evening star., 1935-07-30
MRS. SM|THFACES
TRIAL IN Staying;
FIGHTS FOR BOND
Coroner's Jury Urges Sec.
ond-Degree Murder Charge
for Widow.
COURT ROOM PACKED
AS HEARING Is HELD
Wife of Former Maryland
TROOPER Tells of Quarrel Which
Led to Shooting.
Nv a STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

Nv STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
LAUREL, Md, July 30.-Charged
with second degree murder IN connec-
tion with the shooting of her hus-
band, Mrs. Dorothy Dodd Smith, "a,
today planned a legal battle for free
dom under bond.
The charge was placed against her
last night on recommendation OF
coroner's jury which heard her tell
in detail how she shot her husband,
Wade LIE Roy Smith, 26, former Mary
land State policeman, after domestic
souabble in their home on Fourth
street here, early Sunday morning.
Her attorney, ]. Wilson Ryon, an
nounced he would file petition for a
writ of habeas corpus in Circuit Court
at Upper Marlboro today in the hope
of having Mrs. Smith released on BOND.
Hearing Today.
Judge Joseph C. Mattingly is ex-
pected to conduct hearing on the
petition this afternoon, about the time
funeral services are being held for
Smith, in the home OF his mother,
Mrs. Minnie Smith at Cumberland.
Should the Judge deny bond in the
case, Mrs. Smith probably will have
to remain in jail until the next regu-
lar grand jury session in October.
Bond frequently is allowed in sec
ond degree murder cases, which carry
a maximum sentence Of 18 years in
Maryland, Ryon said. Both Ryon and
States Attorney Alan Bowie said 1t
was unusual for a coroner's jury to
recommend second degree murder, and
Ryon questioned their right to do so.
The customary procedure is for jury
to recommend manslaughter or mur-
der without specifying the degree.
Because a magistrate cannot grant
bond in murder cases, 1t is necessary
to institute habeas corpus proceedings
in order to bring the case before the
Circuit Court.
Neatly attired in a black and white
outfit, Mrs. Smith appeared the coolest
person in the one-room court house as
She told her story 70 the jury while
a perspiring crowd that packed the
structure and jammed the windows
and doors listened.
Her version of the shooting. built
around the theme of self defense, was
essentially the same she had given
police when she surrendered at the
Laurel substation shortly after the
tragedy. .
She said her husband, enraged be-
cause she had shown tin-type photo
graph. taken at the Jessups Fire De-
partnent carnival Saturday night to
an italian who worked for the father
of her first husband, reused her ire
by referring to Italians as ''Wops."
Was "Heartbroken."
The comely blond, who was taught
the beauty parlor business by her first
husband, Nuncy Greco, local barber,
said she reminded Smith her son,
Vincent Greco, 4, was half Italian.
after we had quarreled awhile
Wade wanted to make up. But was
heartbfoken and just couldn't" she
said.
Maintaining her poise as she reached
the climax of the story, Mrs. Smith
said her husband took revolver,
threatened to shoot her, changed his
mind, placed the gun in her hand and
then rushed at her.
With a wave of the hand, she said
the gun went of and Smith fell. The
wife told in full how she felt Smiths
pulse to make sure he was dead, tried
to take her own life but could not
make the gun work, and finally drove
to the home of her sister and brother
in-law, Mr.. and Mrs. Carol Harrison.
That couple, together with police
officers who questioned Mrs. Smith,
were the only other witnesses at the
inquest. All said she told them the
same story.
When Mrs. Harrison showed signs of
swooning, Justice of the Peace James
L. Vawter ordered those unable to
obtain seats out of the court room,
which had become overheated from
the crowd.
Only when the jury returned its
verdict, after nearly two hours de-
liberation, did Mrs. Smith show emo
ton. She dropped her head in her
hands for several minutes. Her father,
A. S. Dodd, who sat with her through
out the inquest also appeared moved
but composed himself quickly.
The verdict said Mrs. Smith "did
voluntarily shoot and kill her hus-
band" and recommended second de-
gree murder
A warrant containing that charge
was Immediately issued by the magis-
trate, and Mrs. Smith was remanded
to jail.