Smith trial gets underway

The trial of Marty Smith began this week for charges related to the death of local man Doug Haar last August. Smith was arrested on several felony charges following the suspected homicide, all of which were associated with her alleged role as an accessory to the crime.

A higher profile case than has been seen for a number of years in Crook County, Smith’s trial required District Court to call in a larger pool of potential jurors. A total of 100 members of the community were called to participate in the selection process.

Due to the relatively small size of Crook County’s courtroom, arrangements had to be made for overflow of both jurors and members of the public in the courthouse basement. A live stream of proceedings in the courtroom was made available while just short of 60 jurors underwent the selection process in the morning.

Just under 40 potential jurors were scheduled for the selection process in the afternoon. As it proved possible to select a jury from the initial group, however, it was not necessary for the second group to attend and the trial proper began on Tuesday afternoon.

To ensure the safety of participants in the trial, the audience and employees in the courthouse offices, Sheriff Jeff Hodge issued rules for anyone visiting the building during the trial. These included a ban on electronic devices and firearms, a ban on large images or messages on clothing and no access to the courtroom except during recesses and breaks; visitors to the building were also screened on entry.

Smith was charged with accessory before the fact of murder in the second degree as well as accessory before the fact of voluntary manslaughter; accessory before the fact of involuntary manslaughter; and accessory before the fact of aggravated assault and battery, all felonies.

At the present time, the pretrial of Jessie Johnson, the other party accused of involvement in Haar’s death, is expected to begin in March.