With Justice For All
 
In This Issue - Vol 2, No 1 (Summer, 2000) Hung Jury in Futrell Case
Legislative Update Officer Smith Convicted
Officer Cooperstein Acquitted Chairman's Letter
 

Smith Convicted of Manslaughter
 

Officer Scott Smith has been found guilty of the death of one of the most wanted criminals in Connecticut, Franklyn Reid. Officer Smith, 27, known as a conscientious and responsible cop, received a sentence of six years for "intentional manslaughter." His parents posted a $250,000 bond, and Officer Smith is free during the appeal process. The Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund is totally committed to assisting Officer Smith throughout his appeal to the State Appellate Court and the State Supreme Court.

This case exemplifies the tremendous problem that law enforcement officials throughout the country face when arresting suspects. In this situation, Franklyn Reid was a notorious criminal who had once stabbed his uncle, had three times threatened to kill the mother of his children, and had tried to knife two other police officers. Reid boasted that he would never be taken alive.

 
More

 
  
Officer Smith

On December 29, 1998, Officer Scott Smith, who had three months prior to this incident attempted to arrest Reid, answered a call for back-up and single-handedly began to chase the suspect up a busy street. Smith knew that Reid was extremely dangerous and probably armed. Smith tackled Reid and got him to kneel on the side of the road. He told him to put his hands in the air, but instead Reid reached for the knife that was concealed in his jacket.

Fearing that Reid had a gun, Smith fired one shot from his service revolver, which severed Reid's spine and killed him instantly. Smith was subsequently charged with murder by the state prosecutor investigating the homicide. This is the only time that Smith had ever discharged his weapon in the line of duty.

See Also:
Read more about this case in the Fall 1999 newsletter.

 

Previous ArticleNext Article


Go to Top

     
 
                   LELDF Logo
Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund
Federal Bar Building
1815 H Street NW
Suite 1001
Washington, DC 20006
Copyright © 1999, 2000, All Rights Reserved.
Comments to: webmaster@leldf.org