Judge Finds Probable Cause Defendant Killed His Brother

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 12, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause April 11 that a 60-year-old man did not stab his brother in self-defense.

Joseph Smith is charged with voluntary manslaughter while armed for his alleged role in the stabbing death of 62-year-old brother, Arnold Smith, on the 600 block of Galveston Place, SE on April 9. Joseph, 60, is being held without bail.

During the hearing, the lead detective narrated body camera footage taken from the night of the murder. Apparently, Joseph, 60, told police his brother attacked him and there was a tussle that began in the living room and continued into the kitchen. Joseph said he ended up on the floor with Arnold on top of him and that’s when he grabbed what was closest to him, a knife, and stabbed Arnold.

Judge Danya Dayson said she made her ruling based on inconsistencies in Joseph’s testimony in connection to the physical scene, which was supported by the detective’s testimony and the footage. She also said that while Arnold had a folded pocket knife on him, she believes it wasn’t a threat.

Regarding the inconsistencies, Joseph told police the fight began in the living room, but Judge Dayson pointed out that the living room looked “undisturbed” and that it would be “reasonable” to believe there would have been items displaced.

Judge Dayson also pointed out that there was blood splatter on the ceiling of the kitchen. She said it was likely the two men weren’t on the ground when the stabbing occurred, which contradicts Joseph’s account. Judge Dayson also said the location of the victim’s stab wounds was not consistent with being stabbed from below.

According to court documents, Arnold had a stab wound to the chest, lower back and a superficial wound to his right arm.

Judge Dayson said she would be willing to release the defendant into home confinement with an order to stay away from the District of Columbia; however, she wants to be sure he doesn’t have a drug dependency. Apparently, Joseph’s sister told the prosecution that he has an “intense” addiction to PCP, a mind-altering drug.

Judge Dayson scheduled a hearing on April 18, when she is expected to receive Joseph’s drug test results and make a ruling on his release.