Michael Smith took the stand Monday morning and said he had a gun on him for “protection”.
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The man accused of firing the bullet that severed Martha Childress’ spine and left the Greenville woman paralyzed took the stand to testify in his defense on Monday.
Investigators say he fired shots on a crowded street in Columbia’s Five Points area.
During his time on the stand, Smith said “I made a lot of mistakes in the past”. During his testimony, he admitted to telling one potential witness in the trial what to say, but added that he never threatened anyone. “I had brought a gun next time”.
Smith also claims the police officer who arrested him the night of the shooting didn’t advise him of his rights.
Campbell also asked Smith about statements he made about beguiling the jurors in his case, including remarks that he would use his “gift of gab” and to “hit them with that innocent look”.
Asked by his lawyer, Aimee Zmroczek, about his telephone statements, Smith stressed to the jury that he was frustrated being in jail and said things he didn’t mean.
Mobile users watch part of Smith’s testimony here.
Smith said he traded words with a man passing by in Five Points. “I apologized for the conditions she in – not saying I put her there, but I know it’s hard right now on her”.
“I’m not a Bloods gang member”, Smith said.
The defense rested just before noon Monday.
Smith has already been tried and convicted on a federal weapons charge related to the case, for which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
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FOX Carolina’s crew in the courtroom said closing statements are expected to begin at 1:30 p.m.
