Opinion ID: 3043524
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Smith’s Statements to Police

Text: On the day Van Dam’s body was discovered, two police officers interviewed Smith, who confessed. In his first statement to the police, Smith admitted that he was at the scene when Van Dam was beaten and robbed but claimed that he was merely a bystander as Larry Reid beat Van Dam. See id. at 796. When police questioned Reid, Smith repeatedly knocked on the interrogation-room door and requested to speak with the officer who took his first statement. Id. Smith gave a second statement, admitting he participated in the homicide but denying an intent to kill Van Dam. See id. In his second statement, Smith said that he, Reid, and Van Dam left a motel in Van Dam’s red pick-up truck on the evening of November 23, 1997. Id. Van Dam was drinking and driving the truck, and Reid directed Van Dam to an isolated location. Id. Smith asserted that, once they arrived at the location, Reid began hitting Van Dam. Reid kicked Van Dam in the face, at which point Smith thought Van Dam was dead. Id. However, Van Dam got up, and Smith hit him on the head with his fist, kicked him in the ribs several times, threw a handsaw at him, 3 Case: 14-10721 Date Filed: 08/03/2015 Page: 4 of 39 and might have hit him with a hammer. Id. Smith wasn’t entirely sure if he hit Van Dam with a hammer because he suffers from blackouts. Id. Smith stated that Reid got a power saw from Van Dam’s truck and ran the saw against Van Dam’s neck. Id. Smith said he held down Van Dam while Reid took money from Van Dam’s pockets. Id. Reid kept $100, and Smith kept $40. Id. Toward the end, Smith kicked Van Dam in the ribs several times. Van Dam was alive at that point, Smith said, but Reid subsequently hit the victim in the head several times with boards and sticks and dragged a mattress on top of him. Smith and Reid left, and Smith thought Van Dam was alive as they walked away. Smith and Reid attempted to steal Van Dam’s truck, but it was stuck in the mud. Id. Smith admitted to taking Van Dam’s boots and tools. Id. Smith and Reid discussed what to do with Van Dam’s body. Id. Smith suggested taking it to a nearby lake, but they left the body under a mattress near Van Dam’s truck. Id.