|
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - The jury in the Byron Smith murder trial heard a graphic audiotape Tuesday morning that captured the fatal shootings of two teenage cousins.
The families of 17-year-old Nick Brady and 18-year-old Haile Kifer sobbed as the courtroom heard the events of the fatal day in November of 2012 unfold. KARE 11's Jana Shortal is in the courtroom for Smith's trial and provided this account of what she heard on the tape.
The sound of breaking glass was followed by footsteps coming down a set of stairs, an intruder that investigators say was Brady. Two gunshots are fired, followed by groans from Brady who has been seriously wounded. One more shot is fired after which Smith is heard saying, "You're dead."
The tape continues with sounds of heavy breathing and what appears to be someone dragging something. After approximately 11 minutes there is the sound of Smith reloading his weapon. A female voice belonging to Kifer softly calls "Nick?" down the stairs. A shot is fired followed immediately by the sound of someone falling down the stairs. Smith is heard saying "Sorry about that," then Kifer screams. She says "Oh my God, I'm sorry," then three or four more gunshots are fired. Smith mutters, "B****," and then the tape captures the sounds of what is most likely the defendant dragging Kifer's body. Then there is a final gunshot.
Smith's defense team maintains that the shooting of the two teens was self-defense, and that he was terrified after a series of break-ins at his home. Prosecutors say he went too far, firing repeatedly after the threat to his safety had been removed.
__________________
#investigatecarlcheffers
|