MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Little Falls man serving two life sentences without parole for killing two teenage thieves has just been denied his final appeal.
The United States Supreme Court issued its ruling on Monday over Byron Smith, who killed cousins Nicholas Brady, 17, and Haile Kifer, 18, on Thanksgiving Day 2012, when they broke into his home. Smith claimed self-defense, but a jury disagreed and convicted him on two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.
SEE MORE INFORMATION: Byron Smith’s best friend: ‘All he wanted was peace and quiet’
Smith argued that his constitutional right to a public trial was denied because the court was closed to viewers and the media for a short time before the initial statements. The Supreme Court disagreed.
Byron Smith (credit: CBS)
Smith said he used reasonable force to defend his home after being the victim of several break-ins. But prosecutors said he went beyond Minnesota’s “castle doctrine” law in the use of lethal force. The audio played during Smith’s trial, which he recorded at his home during the murders, revealed that he was sitting armed in his basement, waiting for the teenagers to enter. He then mocked them after shooting them and continued to shoot beyond the point where they posed a threat to their safety.
SEE MORE INFORMATION: ‘Castle Doctrine’ supporter: Smith’s actions go beyond protection
Smith is serving his sentences at Oak Park Heights.