By Ray King
A Pine Bluff man convicted of capital murder last year has failed to convince the Arkansas Supreme Court he should get a new trial.
Jabari Smith, 21, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty in the Feb. 2, 2022, shooting death of 15-year-old Siar Grigsby who was shot outside Smith’s home.
In his appeal, Smith argued that the evidence was insufficient of premeditated or deliberate purpose was insufficient, the trial court erred by admitting unduly prejudicial photos and video of the victim, the court erred by restricting Smith’s jury selection questions and allowing a witness to testify.
Video from the incident showed Smith, the victim and another person get out of a vehicle with Smith walking behind the victim and firing shots at him. After the victim fell to the ground, Smith continued to shoot him while standing over him.
Smith contended that the evidence showed there was no premeditation, but the court said it was up to the jury to accept or reject Smith’s version of what happened. Also, the fact he lied when questioned by police about his involvement can be considered consciousness of guilt.
Regarding the photos and the video, the court ruling said the photos were explaining the state medical examiner’s testimony and the video helped explain the sequence of events.
