Ex-cop found not guilty of family assault
, Managing Editor
07-02-2009
A Midlothian jury of six found former Ennis Detective Jeff Smith not guilty Wednesday on a misdemeanor assault family violence charge.
The jury found Smith not guilty in about 15 minutes, according to defense attorney Mark Griffith.
“It was a five-hour trial,” Griffith said. “Nobody hid any evidence. The jury saw through everything and saw to do what was right. And what was right was a not guilty verdict. Jeff can now go on with his life.”
Smith was arrested on June 20, 2008, after Midlothian officers were called to his home at 6010 Country South in regard to a domestic disturbance. Smith, 49, was taken into custody for assault by contact family violence involving his wife.
Following the arrest, Ennis Police Chief John Erisman suspended Smith without pay pending an internal investigation, eventually leading to his firing from the department. Despite a jury of Smith’s peers finding him not guilty for assault, City Manger Steve Howerton said the city was justified in its decision.
“He was terminated for cause,” Howerton said.
Smith had worked for the Ennis Police Department since 1984. He began as a patrol officer and held the position of detective sergeant at the time of his firing.
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