Alleged shooter makes first court appearance

Ronald Smith in court Sunday

Alleged shooter makes first court appearance

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Sunday, February 1. 2009

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Alleged killer Ronald Eugene Smith made his first court appearance Feb. 1 before chief magistrate William Thomas and was bound over to superior court without bond on one count of malice murder. (video of the appearance after the jump)

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#1 Anonymous on 02/01/09 at 03:38 PM

Thanks for showing the video of the killer. It proves looks can be deceiving.

#2 A mom on 02/01/09 at 03:40 PM

What a shame. Two wasted lives. Drugs kill.

#3 Anonymous on 02/01/09 at 06:16 PM

Thanks for the great news coverage Walter. Top notch reporting. Odom is doing a great job. Looks like you hired a sane professional to help you.

#4 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 12:48 PM

80 year prison or life in prison?

#5 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 02:53 PM

Hopefully it will be a death penalty case.

#6 anonymous on 02/02/09 at 03:30 PM

...you are right; looks can be deceiving. I worked with this young man a few years ago. It goes to show you really never know people and what they are capable of doing.

#7 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 03:50 PM

Prayer is the answer to all our problem.
put God first and he shall direct your path.
and you want have to worry about things happen
like this.....................................

I ask God to heal our land from Drugs, Murder,
and etc...............................

#8 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 05:49 PM

I'm his baby mama and my beautiful little girl has no father now, but she has a good daddy that loves her very much. Hopefully she can move on with her life. He hasn't really been there for her and he sure didn't think of her when this happen. God be with him & his family.

#9 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 06:49 PM

its about time he finally gets locked up. thats ronnies only home that he knows.iam sorry that his baby girl has to go thru this and that he is her FATHER. i pray for all the families lives that he just messed up.i just pray they NEVER let him back out, i hope he rots in HELL!!!!!!!

#10 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 09:41 PM

the hell with you

#11 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 09:49 PM

this is a good man that is cought up in the wrong stuff. if any one killed any one it was that (name edited) fella he was sleeping with the other neighbors wife and and the old man had threten to to tell her husband. dont make him guilty yet you will see.

#12 Anonymous on 02/02/09 at 11:22 PM

Everyone should be careful how they judge this man, because no one has the right to talk down or say anything negative, because obviously no one posting on this website was there. If you have nothing positive to say, then keep your comments to yourself. Your prayers should go out to his family and to him and this website should be shut down if these hypocritical individuals keep judging this man. Read the article, it says alleged which means asserted but not yet proven to have taken place. Be careful who you label, it could be omeone close to you.

#13 Andrew Odom on 02/03/09 at 07:03 AM

We will not be closing this site down regardless. This is an open forum where people are allowed and invited to speak their mind regardless of how others may judge it - positive or negative.

We do ask that people refrain from bashing other individuals or making unsolicited accusations.

You are right, none of us were there, but as free Americans we are all entitled to our opinion.

#14 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 11:49 AM

do you know him? well i do and he aint nothing but a pice of sh**!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#15 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 01:38 PM

Do you honestly think that no one is going to comment on this? Your comment just fules the fire that much more. Maybe you need to get your head out of your ass and read the article.

Maybe that is what is wrong with people today...they can screw up all they like and they still have people taking up for them trying to lay blame on everyone but the right person.

#16 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 05:56 PM

I think he needs the Lord in his life.Maybe this will give him some time to think about what he has done and the life's of others he has affected. I think its a shame he has a Daughter to grow up without a Daddy.I hope he gets what he deserves.

#17 GhostOfAnAthiest on 02/03/09 at 06:45 PM

I'm confused. Doesn't the good book say thou shall not cast judgment? You know, something like that? Sure looks like your casting a judgment there. Maybe I read it wrong, right? Cause for people to come on here and say he needs the lord, they are constantly casting judgment on him. Its so confusing...

GhostOfAnAthiest

#18 anonymous on 02/03/09 at 08:15 PM

Waller is a control freak that's the good old boys way in lamar county give the press nothing and hide everything. he is a typical politican just watch and see.

#19 H.D.H on 02/04/09 at 01:24 AM

Okay again everyone is bashing people and not even really knowing them I'm going to speek for ronnie and his family , He's a good person deep down, and I really feel sorry for them and what they are having to go through I belive that you who are condeming him to hell and other things are sick and heartless mabe you should be praying and loving each other and things like drugs, murder and other evils will be over come with good instead of bad. you would be surprised to know things about people if you only took the chance to get tho know them. to Ronnie's baby mama you had to have some good feelings gor this man for you to have a child with him! and to all you that feels he was sleeping wiht the neighbors wife and all that crap he might of was but really this is not a scene from In the heat of the nigh or CSI it is just a incident that shouldnt of happened. only god an the people that were their know what happened and god will judge and take care of it all so stop wishing this man to rot in hell and all the other sick things ya'll have in the back of your mind ....

#20 walt deems on 02/04/09 at 09:23 AM

i hope they burn the m***** f*****. he shot my uncle in cold blood for no reason. theres an eye witness that was taking her children to school and he told her to get back in the house hes got a gun. yall probaly think i dont know what im talking about. but i kno him hes my brothers stepbrother and it scrued up

#21 walt deems on 02/04/09 at 09:24 AM

i hope they burn him. he shot my uncle in cold blood for no apparent reason. theres an eye witness that was taking her children to school and he told her to get back in the house hes got a gun. yall probaly think i dont know what im talking about. but i kno him hes my brothers stepbrother and it scrued up that my uncles dead for a stupid reason if yall knew my uncle charles yall would understand

#22 joey on 02/04/09 at 09:53 AM

WOW look at all the education we have going on it has to be from Lamar County.

#23 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 11:14 AM

Yes, those are the students that don't pay attention in school and/or their is no parental support at home with their homework. Think about it before you have children. If you can't help educate them just DONT have them.

#24 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 11:34 AM

Im Ronald's wife and I know my husband would never do anything like this before you start yelling for the death penalty why dont you make sure you are charging the right person because there are people serving time for things that they havent done just cause they can close a case. My husband is a wonderful man.

#25 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 11:49 AM

Ronnie is not a piece of sh**!!!!! He is a wonderful man and a great husband. He is a good father we have 3 kids two girls and one boy. He always puts his family first and I know my husband did not do this if you have anything against Ronnie it is still no reason you should think that he belongs behind bars. And to his babies mama we get her every weekend and we care about her and there is nothing we would not do for her. Everyone is so wrong about Ronnie. I love my husband and he should not be in there.

#26 just wondering on 02/04/09 at 12:22 PM

I just want to ask- have we allowed the term "baby mama" to become a real word? Heaven help us all if we have.....

#27 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 12:34 PM

this girl is my sister and she is right..her kid is his and now my niece has to grow up without a dad because he had to go do something stupid not sure if he did or not its hard to beleive..but this guy was pretty messed up...i give the people that..but i mean dang..you ppl aint gotta be all mean abt it,Yeah sure he might have or might not killed this old man but you never knew him so dont judge him....i hope he has god on his side through this..also with his family and friends.

#28 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 12:51 PM

You know I was thinking the same thing. I would hate to be called that...Is baby mama black or what? If people only know who stupid they sound!

#29 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 01:39 PM

Run for Governor?

Republican Party
Karen Handel (first female)
Casey Cagle

No Democratic. Republican need....

Former Governors
Democratic * 47
Republican * 3
Democratic-Republican * 18
None or Non-party Whig * 23
Whig * 2
Military * 1

#30 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 02:07 PM

1: Can Ronnie pass a drug screening now?
If not, he obviously didnt learn anything from his previous run-ins.

2: Why did they choose him to arrest as the key suspect?
Must be some sort of evidence leading them to him vs randomly picking any lamar county citizen.

3: Just because a man loves his wife and children doesnt mean he cant commit a horrible crime against another individual. Who knows what this was about. There could have been some info about the decease touching his child in a molesting manner, theft, lots of money owed, the deceased could have pulled a gun on Ronnie and it was taken and used agianst him etc. I dont know either party and i have lived here all my life but there is obviously info that no one knows that is still being pieced together. They seem to think its drug related right.. they probably know what they are talking about.

#31 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 02:13 PM

Ok i just watched the video and i will admit that im not forensic profiler or anything but from his actions and just how he carried himself in the court room didnt seem to me like an innocent person. I really dont know what i expected to see if he was innocent but it wasnt what was displayed. Just my opinion.

#32 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 03:08 PM

WHO CARES.....THIS CRAP IS HAPPENING ALL OVER AND IS ONLY GOING TO KEEP GETTING WORSE...IT IS PART OF THE GAME YOU PLAY WHEN YOU DEAL WITH DRUGS....GET OVER IT....

#33 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 03:25 PM

#14 (just wondering)
"baby mama" is actually a pretty old term. Rap and hip hop have made it popular in slang today.

#34 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 03:32 PM

This may clear it up:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=baby+mama

#35 xoxo on 02/04/09 at 03:53 PM

At one time Ronnie worked where I do and I will say just from the way he acted act work, this guy has some issues... I mean we all have a past that we are not happy about, but he is a husband, a father, a son, a brother and he did not need to be messing around with drugs. Like they person said previously, just because he was a loving husband does not mean he did not commit this crime. I am sure his wife is standing by him 100%, what wife wouldnt, but how is she going to feel when they do find him guilty of murder... I know his family and they are good people, I really feel bad for them because they want so much to beleive he is innocent. But he has a history of drugs and who knows what else.

#36 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 06:03 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_mama
Is a more in depth definition....

#37 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 08:46 PM

There is more to this story than meets the eye. I can guarantee you that. I just hope that the truth comes out in time to save an innocent good man. Just because someone has had issues with drugs doesn't make them a bad person or even a murderer. I guarantee you that having someone arrested by dusk on Friday made the good citizens of Mayberry sleep all a little better not having having to worry that a "murderer" being on the loose. It made everyone "feel" that the cops did a good job in the investigation. The problem is that the real murderer could still be at large. I just hope that real story comes out soon so that Ronnie can rejoin his family and real friends.

#38 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 08:51 PM

that eye witness took their child to school at what time now? i beleive the shooting happened around 6 am. now what school do you know that is open at 6 am? i hear your uncle had plenty of enemies. maybe one of them was in the bushes.

#39 lizzybegood on 02/04/09 at 08:57 PM

He looks like a meth-head. The sores on face and the way he was twitching in the video is indicative of drug use, not just nerves.

We'll leave it up to the jury to cast judgment on his guilt--haven't heard the evidence.

o/t: baby mama--is just another slang term/colloquialism that's made it's way into the vernacular language similar to: ain't and ya'll none of these are "real words" but spoken everyday

#40 Ivy Adams on 02/05/09 at 12:30 AM

I am not sure who you are,But to my knowledge Mr Adams has one son and no nephews for he was an only child..Not sure where this one came from.

#41 Anonymous on 02/05/09 at 12:58 AM

Wow, a slang term made popular by hip hop...that only makes a person sound stupid as hell! Why am I not surprised?

#42 RYAN CRUMMIE on 02/05/09 at 01:15 AM

I SECOND THAT. I WAS HIS BEST MAN WHEN HE GOT MARRIED . IVE KNOWN HIM MOST OF MY LIFE. RONNIE IS LIKE A BROTHER TO ME AND I WILL STAND BY HIM TILL THE END. I CAN SAY I KNOW HIM BETTER THAN MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO BASH HIM. YES HE HAS HAD A TROUBLED PAST AND A HISTORY OF DRUG USE BUT WHAT ELSE DO YOU PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HIM? GOOD OL MAYBERRY HUH? ANDY GRIFFITH WOULD HAVE TAKEN A LITTLE MORE TIME TO MAKE SURE HE HAD THE RIGHT GUY. ME AND RONNIE GO WAY BACK ALOT FURTHER THAN 07 WHICH IS THE FURTHEST THIS TOWN IS LOOKING.METH AND DRUGS DO INFACT DESTROY LIVES,FAMILIES AND FRIENDSHIPS I KNOW THIS ALL TO WELL. I AM SO SADDEND BY THIS WHOLE ORDEAL.MY HEART GOES OUT TO BETH WHO IS READING WHAT U PEOPLE THINK OF AN INNOCENT MAN. HER POOR HEART WAS BROKEN TODAY WHEN SHE VEIWED THESE COMMENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME. AS FOR THE BABYS MAMA IVE BEEN AROUND RONNIE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER AND I SAW NUTTN BUT LOVE GIRL SO GIVE IT UP .I USED TO WORK AT THE SAME HELL HOLE HE WAS RECENTLY WORKING AT WHERE HE BARELEY BROUGHT HOME OVER A BILL A WEEK BUT U GOT YOUR CHILDSUPPORT . REALLY U SHOULDENT SAY ANYTHING CAUSE U SOUND LIKE EVERY OTHER BABY MAMA JUST WAITN FOR THAT MOMENT TO SHINE AT HIS EXPIENCE. HELL U SOUND LIKE MINE. I GET TALKED ABOUT EVERYDAY AND EVERYDAY PEOPLE STAND CORRECTED IN THE END. THIS CASE WILL PROVE NO DIFFERENT. RONNIE I LOVE U BRO THEY GONNA GET HIS ASS MONSTERS ALWAYS LEAVE A MESS BEHIND . TO BUDDY U GOT MY BOY CAUGHT UP COME CLEAN DUDE .U CAUGHT AND DONT KNOW IT SPANKY AINT NO KILLA AND YOUR MOUTH IS TO BIG

#43 Anonymous on 02/05/09 at 07:21 AM

I keep hearing that there is one of Ronnies friends that was taken in for questioning and released, does anybody know about that? Why is everything being kept so secret, if this man is innocent let the people hear the whole story.

#44 Anonymous on 02/05/09 at 06:45 PM

you ppl give it a break, everyone in this town is always holier than thou until you look in thier closets. the video showed to me nothing more than a man standing there comeing off dope with a very serious charge being explained to him, how would you expect him to act? can you honestly tell us how you would act, i don't think so, i would never want to have to imagine how i would act in this case wether guilty or not, i know that drugs are very bad, but the drug " meth" is no joke, i have seen it with my own eyes destroy so many happy families, so many beautiful woman, so many good men, i'v seen ppl before dope then after they got on it and with out a dought they were not the same person, i hope this guy is not the killer., and if not i hope and pray this is the last lesson he will need to turn his life around and realize drugs lead you down that same dead end road "EACH AND EVERYTIME"!!
May God have mercy on the victim of this drug related crime. Because meth sellers, dealers, or what ever their called, are also murders, they just dont make as much noise or cause as big of a seen.

#45 Anonymous on 02/05/09 at 07:17 PM

Walt, your sister has a message for you. Call her if you are feeling as bold as you were when you wrote your opinion. Your brother also would have an opinion if HE knew that you brought him into your comments. You DO stand ALONE in your opinion!

#46 Anonymous on 02/05/09 at 07:27 PM

Yes Jason is the one!!!!!!!!!!!!

#47 walt on 02/06/09 at 08:23 AM

i cant help the way i feel. yea i was pissed off when i wrote that comment, but hell. no i dont hope he did it or any thing like that, hell i hope hes inocent. but if he is guilty theres nothing that can be done. people have to live with the choices they make in life. i hope they look at every lead and all the evidence of this case. to find who is responsable for popa charles death. im praying for yalls family and sorry if i made yall mad.

#48 his god son on 02/06/09 at 08:49 AM

Sorry Ms. Ivy Adams, he wasn't really my uncle he was my god father, he lived with us for a long time and has been my mom and stepdads friends for years

And i know he had enemies but not enough to kill him. the women taking her kids to the end of the driveway to catch the bus for school say what was allegedly Mr. Smith, the bus out my way comes by my house around that time too.

And yea look at my Lamar County education

Im gone find out all i can about this.....Im gone find the truth in all this horse crap.

#49 Ryan Crummie on 02/06/09 at 05:44 PM

I would like to take the time to give a few apologies for some of the things I said regarding this investigation and family members of the current suspect. I, in fact, do not take back anything that I stated on Ronnie's behalf or of his character. This case has really weighed heavy on my mind, and I consider it to be a very serious matter and even a lesson to all who are witnessing this event. Starting with law enforcement, I send my deepest apologies for they are in no way basing their suspicions on hearsay or personal opinion due to Ronnie's past. They are simply going on collected evidence, which entails that there are questions to be raised. I am sorry for my own contradiction of character. My deepest apologies to the mother or Ronnie's child and all "baby's mamas." I don't know her and and have never heard Ronnie say anything negative about her. I do understand that this effects her and their little girl's life tremendously and for that I am sorry. Also, I apologize to my own "baby mama" for disrepecting her character. You know who you are and I am very sorry. Finally, I would like to apologize to all of you commenting on here on Ronnie and the murder case in general. I feel that I am just as guilty as each of you for simply forming an opinion based on what I see or read from you all. This is what is wrong with people today, including myself. We let anger control our actions, what we say, feel, or even believe. Ronnie needs all the help and support he can get and I am ashamed of myself for representing his character in a very close minded manner. He needs somebody to represent him in a respectful way and I did not do that and for that I am sorry as well. I do not change or take away anything that I stated about Ronnie's true identity. He is a great guy, good hearted, and in his real state, he is definitely not a killer. I can't say I know who did what because I don't know. I can only state how I feel-just as this town is doing. To Beth, Lexy, parents of both Beth and Ronnie, please forgive me for my display. I leave this in God's hands!

Sincerely,
Ryan Crummie

#50 ghostofaviking on 02/07/09 at 11:17 AM

How can people say how people were 10 years ago or the man I know? I mean Jeffery Dahmer was innocent at one time. Dahmer wasnt born eating people up. Son of Sam wasnt bad at one time. He didnt come out of the womb weilding a .44 magnum and blowing folks away. Just because someone says I knew "Joe" before drugs or I knew "Joe" when we played marbles as kids. It dont mean a hill of beans when "Joe" takes a gun and blows some other person away.

#51 JEE on 02/11/09 at 12:26 PM

Does anyone know when Charles' funeral is? I used to live with Charles. He was a great person with bad habits. One thing I do know is that if he had something to say to somebody he said it. My prayers go out to his son and the same to Spanky and his family. Just hope justice is served.

#52 kellie stokes on 02/11/09 at 05:00 PM

his son has decided to have his dad given to god in a private way.there may be a memorial at a later date. it will be posted on here and in paper. thanks to all who are concened.

#53 his god son on 02/12/09 at 08:53 AM

if any body knows the exact date let me know please

#54 his god son on 02/12/09 at 08:57 AM

there are many people here in b ville that loved papa charles and would like to pay there respects especialy those who were close to him, and lived with him like me and my family

#55 anonymous on 02/13/09 at 12:53 PM

the friend of Ronnies that was questioned was cleared of anything wrong doing which included a lie detector test, so give it a break

#56 Kenneth James Chastain on 02/13/09 at 07:13 PM

Hang in there Ronnie!!! ... these stupid ass close minded ... hypocrits!!!! If it is, what they say it is Ronnie... that was some dumbass ... to pull. If not... stick to your guns brother! I haven't had the chance to talk to you 'bout it yet... but, I will. We all love you, here at home, regardless! I hope for the best for you and Beth. The only advice I know to give you bro'... is, it's time to believe in something greater than you, or me... right now. Hang in there and we'll help you get it figured out!!!
Your cuz in law,
Kenneth

#57 Anonymous on 02/14/09 at 05:01 PM

yes, for the time being..we will see when it's all said and done

#58 redneckphilly on 02/14/09 at 07:35 PM

just think an eye for an eye what do you think should happen ????????????????????

#59 anonymous on 02/14/09 at 07:56 PM

Thanks Walt... close feelings are easy to express and sometimes not looked at way down the road where others could be it the same situation but in a different way. Rest assured we are all hurting on both sides of this devistating situation. I will pray for us all. LYA

#60 Michael on 02/15/09 at 04:26 PM

I dont understand how this happeened. The Ronnie that i know, a close friend of mine, would never do anything like this in his right mind. We have been good friends for years and I know he is not a violent person. He is goodhearted, layedback, and loves his family and friends. He has always been a good friend to me and i have always been there when he needed me.My heart goes out to you man and your still my boy. Jill, Toby, April, Beth and the kids, my heart goes out to you, and i will keep you all in my prayers. Ronnie, i love you man! hang in there!

#61 his god son on 02/23/09 at 08:14 AM

does anyone know if there going to have anything for the public for papa charles. i mean they should have something for him. hell ive talked to numerious friends that have said they would help with the funeral. with all the friends that hes got his services would be faid in full. enstead of some sorry ass populars grave. he deserved better than that.

and if hes already been buried can some one tell me where where we can take some flowers and pay our respects.

#62 Ivy Adams & Dusty Adams on 02/27/09 at 03:44 PM

Anyone who wishes to express their condolences to Charles(Graves)Adams Son can contact him @
adamsmemorial@hotmail.com Dusty will be in Georgia in a few weeks. If you leave your contact information he will contact you upon his arrival in the State.It is not our intent to deny anyone.As to his (Graves)funeral, He was cremated and his remains are with Dusty.

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