The Byron David Smith Case- Self Defense or Murder?
HAPPY HOLIDAYAS!!! Well, almost. I decided to research some crimes that happened on or near Thanksgiving, and this case had the most information. I’ve also seen an episode of Dateline titled ‘12 Minutes on Elm Street,’ about this case. A man killed two teenagers, but was it murder or was it self defense?
Background
Haile Kifer, who was 18 when she was killed, and her cousin Nicholas Brady, 17, broke into a home on Thanksgiving Day in 2012 and unfortunately they were killed because of it.
The home of Byron in Little Falls, Minnesota
Byron David Smith was a retired security engineering officer. He was described as a loner, and had never married or had kids. He also had become very paranoid in the last few months, and claimed his house had been broken into several times before. He said Haile and Nicholas had broken into his home two other times before. He said they had stolen $4,000 in cash, his father’s POW watch, coins and a chainsaw.
Byron would also store bottles of water and granola bars in his basement, and would sit with a loaded gun. He also had set up a surveillance system in his home, and on the day of the murder it was recording.
Murder
On November 22, 2012, Byron had gone out to visit some neighbors. He noticed Haile’s car, which he recognized because he said she had broken into her home before and told his friends he needed to go home.
Byron turned on a recording device, and most of this footage is heard on the Dateline episode. He also removed the lightbulbs and sat in his chair and waited for the burglars.
Nicholas Brady went into the home first. He walked into the basement, and Byron shot him three times in total, twice on the stairs and one more time when he fell off the stairs. He then wrapped Nicholas’ body in a tarp, and dragged him into another room. He was also heard making taunting remarks as he wrapped Nicholas’ body.
Byron reloaded his .22 caliber single action revolver, and waited for Haile. Haile is heard saying Nicholas’ name on the recording and looking for him. Byron shot her as she walked downstairs. His gun got jammed and he says “oh, sorry about that.” Byron then shoots her again this time in her torso area and next to her left eye. Haile is heard screaming, and saying “oh my god.” He taunted her as well, called her derogatory names and then she is placed on top of Nicholas’ body. Haile was still alive through all this, and Byron shot her one last time under her chin.
Byron David Smith basement
Investigation
Byron David Smith (he looks evil, to me).
Byron called the police the next day, and said he didn't want to bother the police on Thanksgiving, but had no problem shooting two teenagers. (OKAY, BYRON).
The police were told that Haile and Nicholas were killed because they had tried to rob Byron’s house. Nicholas Brady’s sister even said that Nicholas had stolen drugs from her before and Nicholas’ car was seen on surveillance footage from a robbery at a home of a retired teacher, the night before he and Haile were killed.
Byron tried to tell the police that Haile had actually laughed about the incident after she was shot. However, he seemed to have forgotten that he turned on his recording device and Haile isn’t laughing, but screaming. Byron also told the police that he “fired a good clean finish,” into Haile’s head.
The Trial and Castle Doctrine
Throughout this whole investigation, there was a debate of whether it was murder or self defense. Byron claimed that they had broken into his house before, and that he simply was afraid for his life.
The Castle Doctrine Law in simple terms means that a person has a right to protect their home or themselves by using deadly force.
The police said that Byron did many things that day that prove it was not self defense, but maybe even pre-meditated. He moved his car that day, but he said he had moved it to clean his garage. The police’s theory is that he moved it so that Haile and Nicholas would think he wasn’t home.
Byron also recorded six hours worth of audio, and one of the things he said was “in your left eye,” and Haile was shot in her left eye.
On April 21, 2014, Byron’s trial started and on April 29, 2014, he was found guilty on two counts of first degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
The audio recordings were a huge piece of evidence, and some of the jurors claim that they convicted him because of what they heard.
Other
Byron has tried to appeal his case, but his sentence was upheld on March 9, 2016.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t think it was self defense at all, especially after Byron belittles and taunts Haile and Nicholas after killing them. I think he had a inkling that they would try to break into his home again, and planned the murder. I don’t think he cared who his victims were, but he had the thoughts in his mind that these two had broken into his house before.
Now, as far as the past break ins go, I think maybe these kids were rebellious and maybe didn’t have the best home life? I don’t want to speculate, but their is evidence that they have robbed people before, even their own family. They definitely didn’t deserve to be murdered though. I’ve seen so many disgusting comments on social media, about how they deserved it and that their families should have taught them not to break into people’s homes. Yes, maybe they shouldn’t have been robbing people, but they didn’t deserve to be murdered.
Byron Smith deserves to be in prison for the rest of his life. I truly think if he was out, he would anyone kill again, and kill anyone who wronged him.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_David_Smith_killings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_doctrine
