Boyfriend charged in Syracuse, Neb., woman's death
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) -- The boyfriend of a woman found dead in their Syracuse home has been charged with second-degree murder.
Extradition proceedings began Monday for Ronald Smith, 44, who was being held in Collinsville, Ill., since a standoff there with law enforcement on Saturday.
Otoe County Attorney Dave Partsch said it appears Terri Harris, 51, was suffocated, though an initial autopsy report did not confirm a crime.
A pillow, in a cupped position with blood and saliva on it, was near her head when a family member found Harris on Thursday, according to court documents.
Smith also is charged with first-degree forgery and theft. He's suspected of stealing Harris' vehicle and $3,900 in checks made out to her.
A Nebraska State Patrol investigator and Otoe County sheriff's deputy interviewed Smith in Collinsville on Sunday.
According to court documents, Smith told them that he pushed Harris to the floor during an argument on Dec. 23. He then placed a pillow over her face and held it there.
Afterward, he broke into a safe and took two checks belonging to Harris and one check belonging to him. He also took Harris' cell phone.
Authorities say Smith took Harris' 1996 Chevrolet Blazer and cashed the checks before leaving town.
Smith said he traveled to East St. Louis, Ill., and that along the way he spent the money on alcohol, drugs and prostitutes.
Police in Collinsville, near East St. Louis, said Smith called Saturday and said he'd killed someone in Nebraska and wanted to surrender.
Police went to a motel where Smith had a room, but by the time officers arrived, Smith had changed his mind. Smith was taken into custody after a four-hour standoff.
Lincoln police said they've had several contacts with Smith for a number of incidents ranging from theft to alcohol-related charges. In 1994, he was jailed for assaulting a police officer.
Partsch said it's the first murder in Otoe County since the 2000 double homicide in which Kimberly Faust killed her estranged husband's girlfriend and a good Samaritan who tried to help the injured woman.
Extradition proceedings began Monday for Ronald Smith, 44, who was being held in Collinsville, Ill., since a standoff there with law enforcement on Saturday.
Otoe County Attorney Dave Partsch said it appears Terri Harris, 51, was suffocated, though an initial autopsy report did not confirm a crime.
A pillow, in a cupped position with blood and saliva on it, was near her head when a family member found Harris on Thursday, according to court documents.
Smith also is charged with first-degree forgery and theft. He's suspected of stealing Harris' vehicle and $3,900 in checks made out to her.
A Nebraska State Patrol investigator and Otoe County sheriff's deputy interviewed Smith in Collinsville on Sunday.
According to court documents, Smith told them that he pushed Harris to the floor during an argument on Dec. 23. He then placed a pillow over her face and held it there.
Afterward, he broke into a safe and took two checks belonging to Harris and one check belonging to him. He also took Harris' cell phone.
Authorities say Smith took Harris' 1996 Chevrolet Blazer and cashed the checks before leaving town.
Smith said he traveled to East St. Louis, Ill., and that along the way he spent the money on alcohol, drugs and prostitutes.
Police in Collinsville, near East St. Louis, said Smith called Saturday and said he'd killed someone in Nebraska and wanted to surrender.
Police went to a motel where Smith had a room, but by the time officers arrived, Smith had changed his mind. Smith was taken into custody after a four-hour standoff.
Lincoln police said they've had several contacts with Smith for a number of incidents ranging from theft to alcohol-related charges. In 1994, he was jailed for assaulting a police officer.
Partsch said it's the first murder in Otoe County since the 2000 double homicide in which Kimberly Faust killed her estranged husband's girlfriend and a good Samaritan who tried to help the injured woman.
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