On Thurs., jurors heard from the victim's son.
The trial of Melvin "Rock" Smith is scheduled to resume on Friday morning at 9:00.
Opening statements took place on Thursday and the prosecution called a few witnesses. But the trial was adjourned due to a personal commitment from one of the lawyers in the case, according to Frederick County's State's Attorney Charlie Smith.
Melvin Smith is charged with 1st-degree murder and other offenses for the fatal shooting of Tranice Richardson in July of last year. She was gunned down while leaving her apartment on Orchard Terrace with one of her sons. Melvin Smith fled the scene, but was apprehended three weeks later in McKeesport, Pa.
State's Attorney Charlie Smith says one of the witnesses who testified on Thursday was Richardson's 8-year-old son, who was there the night his mother was murdered. "It was one of the more difficult parts of this case is to see that young man have to go through that again," he says. "His testimony was critical to our case. He testified and he did really well. So we're really proud of the young man."
Charlie Smith says his office expects to wrap up its case on Wednesday, and it could go to the jury after the defense makes its presentation. "I'm not aware of too many defense witnesses so I would imagine that the defense would be able to finish by Wednesday as well. And hopefully, we could do closing arguments on Thursday," he says.
