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Jury Selected In Case Of Man Accused Of Murdering Three Family Members Four Years Ago
January 18, 2020
A jury has been seated for the trial of an Escambia County man accused of the murder of three family members over four years ago.
Jury selection wrapped up Friday and opening statements will begin Tuesday morning in the case against Donald Hartung. He is facing three counts of first degree premeditated murder in the death of his mother and two half-brothers, Voncile Smith, John Smith, and Richard Smith. State Attorney Bill Eddins said prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.
All three bodies were found on July 31, 2015, in their home on Deerfield Drive. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation first found witchcraft may have been involved in the killings. But further investigation revealed the motive may have been more financially motivated.
Comments
3 Responses to “Jury Selected In Case Of Man Accused Of Murdering Three Family Members Four Years Ago”
I feel he is guilty too
This is the problem with crime reporting. “Jury selected”. NO verdict if he is guilty or not, but the comments start pouring in “I hope there is swift justice for these family members..such a terrible crime this man committed..”
Swift justice, No1uknow knows he committed the crime.
Makes me shudder: these are potential jurors. They will proclaim you guilty before any evidence or facts.
I hope there is swift justice for these family members..such a terrible crime this man committed..i replaced the flooring in this house & learn that if you buy a house where a murder has been committed you have to actually ask the realtor if anything has happened like that otherwise they do not have to disclose that type of information unless you ask … whole thing in a nutshell I-4 and I should be his fate