RadioOnFire.com - A man and his daughter await extradition from Texas to Maryland after police said their story about panhandlers killing Jacquelyn Smith was completely made up.
Keith Smith, 52, of Aberdeen, and his daughter, Valeria Smith, 28, of Baltimore, were arraigned Monday morning in Cameron County, Texas, Magistrate Court.
Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said Sunday that Keith Smith and Valeria Smith were arrested Sunday morning in Harlingen, Texas, near the Mexico border.
"During the course of our investigation, we have developed evidence that Mr. Smith was leaving Maryland, so we made appropriate national notifications, and the Texas State Police arrested him this morning (Sunday)," Harrison said.
Keith Smith and Valeria Smith are being held without bail, and the next step will be an extradition hearing. They waived extradition Monday and could be returned to Maryland within the next few days.
Baltimore police said homicide detectives will be in Texas by Tuesday to try to interview Keith Smith and Valeria Smith and to return them to Baltimore.
Cameron County, Texas, District Attorney Luis V. Saenz released a statement, saying, "Today, I assisted in an extradition in the 404th District Court for Keith Smith and Valeria Smith. The Smiths, who are stepfather and stepdaughter, were arrested by Texas DPS Troopers yesterday on a warrant out of Maryland for First Degree Murder and booked at the Carrizales Detention Center. Today, they waived extradition before Judge Louis Sorola. Maryland authorities now have 10 days to transport them. The high-profile case is generating national interest because the Smiths are accused of fabricating an elaborate story in which the victim, who is the wife/mother of the defendants, was killed by a panhandler. Maryland authorities now have reason to believe they are the main suspects in the murder."
Source WBAL
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