Witness Slain After Refusing Protection

The Times-Picayune reports that Ryan Smith was found dead from gunshot wounds to the head and body on Saturday night. Smith was to testify in a murder trial slated to start today, but had twice refused police protection and an offer to relocate his family from the Orleans Parish DA's office.

New Orleans District Attorney Eddie Jordan said his office made two offers to protect Smith. Smith rejected them, Jordan said. And although Smith's slaying fell near the eve of the trial in which he was to testify against Tron Hughes, 23, there's not enough evidence to say Smith's death is a retaliatory killing, Jordan said.

Posted by AJR at March 10, 2003 08:25 AM