A former jailmate of a murder defendant took the stand Thursday and said that Allen Dale Smith confessed to shooting a man during a 2005 Lecompton burglary.
Tim James, a former Lawrence bounty hunter who is serving a federal prison sentence for a criminal weapons charge, made the allegation in Douglas County District Court. Smith faces charges of felony murder and aggravated burglary for the shooting death of 77-year-old Clarence David Boose.
James, who has been convicted of burglary and theft in the past, said he met Smith while both were in the Jefferson County Jail in 2006. “He said he shot him,” James said.
It was the fourth day of Smith’s second trial. A jury in August deadlocked, causing a mistrial.
James did not testify during the first trial, and he said Douglas County Sheriff’s detectives first interviewed him in September in federal prison in Texarkana, Texas.
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geniusmannumber1 (anonymous) says…
Grow up.
TheGoldenBoy (anonymous) says…
I agree with couranna1. I think we are setting a very bad precedent when we start allowing prison inmates to testify in exchange for immunity or a shorter sentence.
geniusmannumber1 (anonymous) says…
goldenboy--1) I got the impression that couranna was, unlike you, expressing a more kneejerk, juvenile, faux-street posturing message.2) I didn't see where in the article that this was the case. It's certainly possible, although state courts don't have any power to shorten a Federal sentence.3) This is by no means a "precedent" or "starting" anything. This has pretty much gone on since we've had anything resembling modern court systems.4) As to your main point, every witness has credibility issues. As long as the fact that the witness is receiving something in exchange for his testimony (if that is in fact the case) is made known to the jury, I don't see the problem.
smarty_pants (anonymous) says…
I hope James didn't get a reduced sentence because he is mean and dangerous.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
For those of you who say "Snitches cannot be trusted". How would you feel if it were your mother / father/ brother/ child who had been brutally murdered? I guess then it would be okay. What weakness you show in such a stupid remark.
racoon1344 (anonymous) says…
My understanding is that Tim James was testifying to help his son who is in trouble with the law. I personallyknow Allen Smith and I know that he would not killsomeone by his own hand. The biggest reason he is standing trial for this murder is because he was stupidenough to run around with Leonard Price. Allen is a thief and burgler and is now serving time for that.Allen has never been a leader, always a follower.My deepest sympathies go out to the Boose family, asI know this has to be very hard on them. It has alsobeen very hard on Allen's mother and family.No matter how this case comes out, there will be nowinners. I hope and pray that this will finally come toan end and that both families will hopefully be able tomove on.