Opinion ID: 2382108
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The trial of Michael Smith.

Text: Smith's trial began on July 5, 1990. The government relied primarily on a somewhat inculpatory statement which Smith had provided to the police and on the testimony of Eric Winters and Ken Richards. Winters and Richards both testified that they knew Michael Smith, Fred Frederick, and Lonnie Hart. Each of them claimed to have had an unobstructed view of Hart's murder. Both Winters and Richards identified Smith as one of two men involved in the killing. Eric Winters testified that Fred Frederick, whom he knew well, and whom he saw about three times a week ... going over [to] his girl friend['s] house, was not the second man involved in the murder: Q Now, was the man who got out of the back seat of that car and walked around and shot Lonnie, according to what you saw, Fred Frederick? A No. Q Are you positive of that? A Yes.       Q You tell us you're sure that the man you saw choke Lonnie was Mike, correct? A Yes. Q Now, you also tell us that you're sure that the man who shot Lonnie was not Fred? A It wasn't Fred, because I know how Fred look[s]. Q Are you just as sure of both of those things? A Yes.[ [4] ] Events prior to and during Smith's trial persuaded the police, the prosecutor, the judge, and the jury that Winters was a credible and impressive witness. Detective Herman Johnson of the Metropolitan Police Department, who investigated Hart's murder, testified that he had credited Winters and Richards whenever there had been a conflict between either man's account and the account given by Smith. During argument before the court, the prosecutor referred favorably to the demeanor and the forthrightness and certitude of this witness [Winters] on the witness stand. Judge Greene also had occasion to comment on Winters' credibility: [T]hat kind of common sense was evident throughout Mr. [Winters]' testimony.... I don't find the reliability of his observations at all suspect in this case. And, indeed, if I were the fact-finder, I would give him substantial credence. Finally, the jurors evidently believed Winters' testimony, for they found Smith guilty of second degree murder while armed.