Emotional testimony and evidence introduced in trial against woman accused of killing CCSO deputy
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Emotional testimony and evidence were presented in the courthouse Wednesday for the case against Cassandra Smith, accused of killing a Charlotte County deputy while drunk driving.
Opening statements for the case against Cassandra Smith began in the Charlotte County Courthouse on the morning of Dec. 13 at 9 a.m.
Opening Statements
Martin Stark, Assistant State Attorney, opened by detailing the events from the night of Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
Stark said Smith’s alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit, when she traveled across three lanes of the highway, hitting 23-year-old Charlotte County Deputy Christopher Taylor.
He explained that the courtroom would see dash camera footage of the interaction. However, they would not see footage of Deputy Taylor being hit because his body camera was smashed.
Stark then said that troopers found an empty airplane bottle of liquor, an empty airplane bottle of vodka, a full-size empty bottle of Titos in the passenger side of her Jeep and a 4 Loko can under the Jeep with a red straw.
Defense Attorney Elizabeth Heffington then took the stand to give her opening statement.
She asked the courtroom to wait before making judgments and opinions as she says the investigation unravels.
“There were assumptions made, mistakes made, and ultimately there’s reasonable doubt,” Heffington said.
She said that some things “don’t add up”; bottles were found in the car, but can not be determined if they were drunk and by whom.
Testimony and Evidence
Witness Angel Camarillo, whom Deputy Taylor was in the process of pulling over that night, was the first to present a testimony.
The dash camera footage showed Smith crashing her Jeep into Deputy Taylor.
Stark asked if Camarillo could describe the emotions of deputies as they arrived at the scene of the crash.
“I could see desperation in their partners, sadness. The wish of trying to save him,” Camarillo said.
Witness Ryan Davis gave his account of the crash in detail.
Davis explained he watched Smith looking for a water bottle after the crash. He said Smith came over to him, saying she was freaking out.
Displayed on the screen, was a photo of the two vehicles in their final resting positions.
Smith said, “I hope I didn’t kill him,” according to witness Cindy Green.
“Everyone was working on him, all the deputies were a mess… one of the women was just screaming… he’s a baby,” Cindy said, teary-eyed.
Immediately following, Cindy’s husband, William Green gave his testimony. He described driving that night on I-75 as a “beautiful night with clear weather and no traffic.”
He said as they drove closer to the patrol car, a car passed them on the left traveling fast William saw Smith’s Jeep hit the median a little, then shoot across all three lanes of the highway, and run into Deputy Taylor’s car.
William explained, “I thought he was already dead when I saw him.”
Witness Deirdre Berrebie heard Smith say, “I think I hit him, I think I hit him.”
Gabby Jones was the next witness to take the stand. She reiterated what the others previously stated.
However, the one question they asked of her toward the end of her statement was, “Did you ever see her go check on the deputy?’
Jones replied, “No.”
Afternoon Testimony and Evidence
“First and foremost, saving a life is a priority,” Charlotte County Sgt. Shelley Havel.
Havel stood to present her testimony as a witness and first respondent to the incident that night.
At 1:30 p.m., a video of her body camera footage was shown to the courtroom, as Havel cried on the stand.
The footage showed Havel performing CPR on Deputy Taylor.
She said Deputy Taylor’s bodycam was “damaged beyond repair.”
Deputy Andre Acebo with CCSO was training under Havel on the night of Deputy Taylor’s death. Acebo’s bodycam footage was shown for his testimony.
Another bodycam video was shown during another CCSO deputy’s testimony, which contained conversations with Smith.
At the start of the video, Smith says, “I think I might’ve run him over.”
“I need to know how the guy is…is there any way I can find out in the future?” Smith asked.
The deputy said Smith remained uncooperative. He placed her in handcuffs because she was not following his orders.
For the remainder of the footage, Smith continued saying phrases such as “I’m not under arrest for anything,” “There’s absolutely no reason for me to be in handcuffs,” and “Uncuff me.”
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Russell Vega testified that among Taylor’s injuries was a brain stem laceration. He said more times than not that injury results in death within minutes.
Previous Coverage
A jury of six people and two alternates was selected Tuesday evening.
A group of 4 men and 4 women will sit to hear the evidence throughout the rest of the week.
CONTINUING COVERAGE: Day 1: Jury selected in DUI crash trial that killed Charlotte County deputy
If convicted, Smith faces more than 30 years in prison for the following charges:
DUI manslaughter
Two counts of DUI damage to property or another person
Vehicular homicide
Refusing to submit to a DUI test following a suspended license
Count on NBC2 to provide the latest updates in this trial.
