Key conversations from the past

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

Smith listened as conversations between himself and family members were played for the jury.

After days of often-dry, scientific testimony, jurors in the Joseph Smith murder trial witnessed a day of heavy emotions Tuesday.

The day started with one sample of DNA being discussed for hours, but then phone calls made from the Manatee County Jail by Smith to his mother became the focus. All of the calls were monitored and recorded.

"Oh Joe, I knew those drugs were going to get you in trouble," his mother said in the Feb. 9, 2004 conversation. "The best thing that you could do is just try and explain it was an accident."

Watch video of Tuesday's cross examination of FBI forensics analyst Jennifer Luttman, a prosecution witness.
	Click here to play Click here to play

"Mom, it was an accident," Smith replied.

"I know that Joe," said his mother.

"You don't think that I would do that on purpose, mom?" asked Smith.

"No, no I don't," said his mother. "I don't think so at all, Joe. Not at all. I know you better than that. But everyone is up in arms. The community, the press, the governor, the mayor. You just don't know, Joe."

A call on Feb, 18, 2004 from Joseph Smith to his brother, John Smith, was also played in court.

"I screwed up, man," Joseph said to John. "The only thing, you know, I can do now is just go with it and try to make something good out of something bad."

The stereo was the star witness of the day Tuesday.

William Dunker, a fingerprint expert with the Sarasota's County Sheriff's Office, also testified. He explained how fingerprints are left or not left on certain surfaces. He said someone can touch a surface but not leave behind a print.

Dunker said no fingerprints from Brucia were found in an impounded station wagon connected to Joseph Smith, but that doesn't mean she wasn't in the vehicle.

Smith, 39, could face the death penalty if convicted.

For more information about the case, pick up a copy of Bay News 9's partner paper, The Herald.