State rests case after testimony in Charlotte County DUI manslaughter trial
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — After two days of emotional testimony, the State rested its case Thursday night in the DUI manslaughter trial against Cassandra Smith in Charlotte County.
On Thursday night, both sides rested their case in the trial against Cassandra Smith, who allegedly hit and killed CCSO Deputy Taylor while drunk driving.
Closing statements begin in the Charlotte County Courthouse at 9 a.m. on Friday, putting us one step closer to hearing the jury’s verdict.
Testimony Continued
New evidence was revealed as the DUI manslaughter trial against 31-year-old Cassandra Smith resumed Thursday at 9 a.m.
911 operator Victoria Mazy was the first witness to take the stand Thursday morning.
Mazy presented new, previously redacted audio of Smith’s 911 call from the night of Nov. 22, 2022.
During the playback of the call, Smith continues repeating the phrase, “I’m pretty sure I just killed somebody.”
Meanwhile, Smith showed no emotion as the audio rolled.
Deputy Taylor’s fiance left the courtroom because it was too emotional.
Cpl. Matthew Sill, a Traffic Homicide Investigator with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), was on call that night and responded to the scene.
He said a paramedic drew Smith’s blood with equipment in a kit provided by FHP.
“She had bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and was carefree. Not a typical response from someone involved in a crash who doesn’t have signs of impairment,” Sill said.
Smith’s blood was first drawn at around 12:30 a.m., nearly four hours after the crash.
New Evidence
Around 11 a.m., the jury heard from witness Kelly Harrington, Director of Asset Protection for RaceTrac gas station stores, who is responsible for managing the surveillance cameras.
Within the hour before the crash, video footage captured Smith’s green Jeep rolling into the RaceTrac parking lot at 13631 Goldenwood Drive in Fort Myers
Smith can be seen walking into the gas station, going into the cold freezers, and purchasing items with the cashier.
She then leaves the store, sits in her car for a few minutes, and backs out.
Harrington showed the jury a receipt, matching the card number Smith used that night.
The receipt listed a Starbucks Triple Shot, a 4 Loko, and a Life Water.
Jennifer Lewis with FDLE displayed analyzed pieces of evidence to the jury, including Smith’s BAC samples.
Both Angel Camarillo’s and Smith’s BAC were sampled and analyzed twice. No alcohol was found in Camarillo’s blood samples.
However, Smith’s samples came back as .258 and .258.
“Yes…it is higher than .08,” Lewis said.
The lead investigator Master Cpl. David Brunner, with FHP, recognized the tire marks before approaching the scene.
Brunner explained the damage to both vehicles, indicating consistency with high-speed impact.
He said Smith was traveling 99 mph until three seconds prior to the crash. According to the black box, the brake was never pressed in the final five seconds before impact.
He also found the same 4 Loko purchased at the RaceTrac, underneath Smith’s Jeep — still cold, with a straw in the can.
FDLE scientist Danielle Hayes testified that DNA found on the straw matched Smith to an extremely high degree.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Day 2: Emotional testimony and evidence introduced in trial against woman accused of killing CCSO 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
Count on NBC2 to provide the latest updates in this trial.
