31 year-old Prison inmate Lorenzo Smith Jr., is back in jail tonight awaiting his fate after his murder trial concluded in the Supreme Court today. He’s accused of killing his cellmate Alonzo Eck on October 9, 2009.
His trial without jury started last week Thursday before Justice Troadio Gonzalez. Prosecutor Kileru Awich called 9 witnesses to testify against Smith. The crown’s evidence is that he was the only one who was locked inside the prison cell with the murder victim who was allegedly strangled to death. His conclusion is that Smith is the only one who could have inflicted harm on Eck, since the cell door was locked.
Initially, the medical examination into Eck’s death was ruled inconclusive, but Dr. Mario Estradabran later concluded that he died due to manual strangulation. His conclusion was that there were what appeared to be defensive wounds, which are signs of a struggle, which would mean that it was murder, not suicide.
In Smith’s defence, his attorney, Oscar Selgado responded that the crown did not properly prove all the elements of the crime of murder against his client, and so where there is reasonable doubt, he should be acquitted. He also questioned the credibility of Dr. Estradabran’s medical examination, given that he first ruled it inconclusive, and then later determined that it was murder.
Both attorneys have submitted their written submissions to the judge, who will deliver his judgment at a date to be announced.
Lorenzo is serving a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted of burning down Biscayne Government School.
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