Jury hung on third count

By KELLI WRIGHT

THE DEMOPOLIS TIMES

LINDEN – Terrence Lavell Smith, a former Demopolis police officer who was assigned to guard the crosswalk at the middle school, was convicted on two counts of rape in the second degree of a 13-year-girl. The jury was hung on the third count of rape.

When asked about his reaction to the jury’s decision, Smith said, “What can I say?”

At the request of defense attorney Jim Parkman, Judge Eddie Hardaway allowed Smith to remain out on bond until his sentencing on Dec. 3. Smith agreed he would go through whatever efforts to ensure his bond terms would not be violated, including calling and checking in with the Marengo County Sheriff’s Department.

When asked about the judge’s decision not to take him into custody, as was requested at first by Griggers, Smith said, “This just gives me more time to be with my family.”

Smith’s wife, who accompanied him during the trial, was visually stricken upon learning the jury’s decision. She fainted on the front row of the courtroom and was led away by Smith.

For more on the story, see tomorrow’s edition of The Times.