News Minnesota man who killed teens in break-in charged with murder - Page 41

NIUhuskies · 11-27-2012, 04:56 PM

wow, this sounds pretty messed up... Cant tell if his guy is nuts or if these kids were on drugs

By NBC News staff and wire services

A 64-year-old Minnesota man was charged Monday with murder for killing two teenagers who he said broke into his Little Falls home, shooting them in the head, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

AP file

Byron David Smith was arrested after he told police he shot and killed two teenagers who he said were breaking into his home on Thanksgiving Day.

"If you're trying to shoot somebody and they laugh at you, you go again," Byron David Smith of Little Falls told investigators, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Smith was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Haile Kifer, 18, and her cousin, Nicholas Brady, 17, both of Little Falls. The teens were shot on Thanksgiving Day, but their deaths weren't reported until Friday.
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Brady has also used the name Schaeffel, which is his mother’s maiden name, at times for family reasons, according to the sheriff's office.

In the criminal complaint, Smith said he was in the basement of his remote home about 10 miles southwest of Little Falls when he heard a window breaking upstairs, followed by footsteps that eventually approached the basement stairwell. Fearful after several break-ins, according to the complaint, Smith said he fired when Brady came into view from the waist down.

After the teen fell down the stairs, Smith said he shot him in the face as he lay on the floor.

"I want him dead," the complaint quoted Smith telling an investigator.

Smith said he dragged Brady's body into his basement workshop, then sat back down on his chair, and after a few minutes Kifer began coming down the stairs. He said he shot her as soon as her hips appeared, and she fell down the steps.

Smith said he tried to shoot her again with his Mini 14 rifle, but that the gun jammed and Kifer laughed at him.

"Smith stated that it was not a very long laugh because she was already hurting," according to the complaint.

Smith said he then shot Kifer in the chest several times with a .22-caliber revolver, dragged her next to Brady, and with her still gasping for air, fired a shot under her chin "up into the cranium."

"Smith described it as 'a good clean finishing shot,'" according to the compliant, but also that he acknowledged he had fired "more shots than (he) needed to."

The following day he asked a neighbor to recommend a good lawyer, according to the complaint. He later asked his neighbor to call the police.

A prosecutor called Smith's reaction "appalling."

"Mr. Smith intentionally killed two teenagers in his home in a matter that goes well beyond self-defense," Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf said after Smith appeared at Morrison County District Court on Monday morning. Bail was set at $2 million.

Follow @NBCNewsUS

Minnesota law allows a homeowner to use deadly force on an intruder if a reasonable person would fear they're in danger of harm. Smith told investigators he was afraid the intruders might have a weapon.

Smith's actions "sound like an execution" rather than legitimate self-defense, said David Pecchia, executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. Pecchia said his statements to investigators suggest he had eliminated any threat to his safety by wounding the cousins.

Smith's brother, Bruce Smith, told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that the incident was the eighth burglary at Byron Smith's home in recent years.

The only report the Morrison County sheriff's office has for a break-in at the home was for one on Oct. 27. It shows Byron Smith reported losing cash and gold coins worth $9,200, plus two guns worth $200 each, photo equipment worth more than $3,000 and a ring worth $300.

Little Falls is about 100 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

Brady's sister, Crystal Schaeffel, told the Star Tribune that Kifer had broken into her home before. Little Falls police records show Crystal Schaeffel reported a theft Aug. 28, but the department said the report was not public because that investigation was continuing and because it named juveniles.

Tessa Ruth, an aunt of Brady, attended Smith's hearing. She told the Star Tribune she wished the man had fired a warning shot or alerted the police instead of shooting the teens.

"It wasn't right for them to be there and, yes, he had a right to defend himself. But to execute them like that..."

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012...th-murder?lite

**ptlyon** · 05-01-2014, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

The fact that you would support this guy tying the kids up and raping/torturing them for perpetuity is disgusting.

I think SNR likes it

KCUnited · 05-02-2014, 07:52 AM

I can relate to this. I've had the same vehicle stolen from my house twice in 4 months. It's cost me my deductible both times, plus the inconvenience of the whole stolen car process. They tried to steal it again last night, but I put a Club on it and they couldn't get it, just smashed the window.

I know it's the same people. I don't want to kill anyone, but I'd love to split some wigs. Hopefully, my wife wasn't recording our conversation this morning because I may have said some things, that I don't really fell, but would probably get me fired.

**Predarat** · 05-02-2014, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I can relate to this. I've had the same vehicle stolen from my house twice in 4 months. It's cost me my deductible both times, plus the inconvenience of the whole stolen car process. They tried to steal it again last night, but I put a Club on it and they couldn't get it, just smashed the window.

I know it's the same people. I don't want to kill anyone, but I'd love to split some wigs. Hopefully, my wife wasn't recording our conversation this morning because I may have said some things, that I don't really fell, but would probably get me fired.

Hope the next car they steal, they crash into a river, sink to the bottom never to be heard from again.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2014, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I can relate to this. I've had the same vehicle stolen from my house twice in 4 months. It's cost me my deductible both times, plus the inconvenience of the whole stolen car process. They tried to steal it again last night, but I put a Club on it and they couldn't get it, just smashed the window.

I know it's the same people. I don't want to kill anyone, but I'd love to split some wigs. Hopefully, my wife wasn't recording our conversation this morning because I may have said some things, that I don't really fell, but would probably get me fired.

Wow, that's unfortunate.

It's tough because it's not like the police are going to hang out every night until they catch the criminals. But at the same time, three theft attempts in four months is definitely a pattern. In a perfect world, you could go to city council and get permission to hook a car battery to your door, but I guess the softies on the jury would call that premeditation.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2014, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

The fact that you would support this guy tying the kids up and raping/torturing them for perpetuity is disgusting.

This is why you never go into a stranger's basement. There's a reason that basements are concrete and soundproof.

**Predarat** · 05-02-2014, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Wow, that's unfortunate.

It's tough because it's not like the police are going to hang out every night until they catch the criminals. But at the same time, three theft attempts in four months is definitely a pattern. In a perfect world, you could go to city council and get permission to hook a car battery to your door, but I guess the softies on the jury would call that premeditation.

That is a much better idea then my car at the bottom of the lake idea. My idea wastes a perfectly good automobile, yours does not. Well done.

Omaha · 05-02-2014, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I can relate to this. I've had the same vehicle stolen from my house twice in 4 months. It's cost me my deductible both times, plus the inconvenience of the whole stolen car process. They tried to steal it again last night, but I put a Club on it and they couldn't get it, just smashed the window.

I know it's the same people. I don't want to kill anyone, but I'd love to split some wigs. Hopefully, my wife wasn't recording our conversation this morning because I may have said some things, that I don't really fell, but would probably get me fired.

My buddy owns a surveillance company. I would rig up some cameras and catch the ****ers.

KCUnited · 05-02-2014, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaha

My buddy owns a surveillance company. I would rig up some cameras and catch the ****ers.

I live in KCMO, I'm not sure what some blurry image of a guy in a hoodie who looks like every other guy in a hoodie is going to tell me or who is even going to give a damn. I would have to set it up like ol boy in Montana and have some kind of sensor that wakes me up so I could catch them in the act.

Or, after seeing the neighborhood where they found it the first time it was stolen, I can take a weird yet exciting joy in knowing that life is likely to swallow these ****s soon enough on it's own.

**Predarat** · 05-02-2014, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I live in KCMO, I'm not sure what some blurry image of a guy in a hoodie who looks like every other guy in a hoodie is going to tell me or who is even going to give a damn. I would have to set it up like ol boy in Montana and have some kind of sensor that wakes me up so I could catch them in the act.

Or, after seeing the neighborhood where they found it the first time it was stolen, I can take a weird yet exciting joy in knowing that life is likely to swallow these ****s soon enough on it's own.

Even if they do catch them, they will be out in a few weeks or days doing it again, rinse and repeat until they finally get sent to hell. The judicial system is shit.

displacedinMN · 06-04-2014, 05:06 PM

This should not be a surprise

Quote:

MINNEAPOLIS -- Documents have been filed on behalf of Byron Smith to appeal his first-degree murder convictions.

Smith's defense attorney Steve Meshbesher tells KARE 11 the appeal documents were filed in the state supreme court on Wednesday.

Meshbesher says he feels the Morrison County judge overseeing the case made several mistakes, and he feels Smith was not granted a fair trial.

In April, Byron Smith was convicted of killing two teens who broke into his Little Falls home on Thanksgiving Day 2012.

chiefsfan987 · 06-04-2014, 05:24 PM

NBC did a dateline story on this a couple weeks ago. I was surprised when no one bumped the thread after it aired. Here it is if anyone wants to watch.

http://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/full...street-n107981

**Easy 6** · 06-04-2014, 05:29 PM

Time hasn't changed my opinion on this, the man crossed the line from legitimately fearful homeowner to cold blooded murderer with his actions... if any of you who think he got a bum deal could walk up to someone laying on the ground, coughing up blood, clearly dying and absolutely no threat to you and "finish them nice and clean" face to face?

Then you need serious help, get off the internet and call a therapist, stat.

stonedstooge · 06-04-2014, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predarat

Hope the next car they steal, they crash into a river, sink to the bottom never to be heard from again.

**Rain Man** · 06-04-2014, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Then you need serious help, get off the internet and call a therapist, stat.

Call the rapist? That's even more depraved.

**Easy 6** · 06-04-2014, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Call the rapist? That's even more depraved.

HARHARHAR Trebek!

11-27-2012, 04:56 PM
NIUhuskies Veteran Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Casino cash: $8395050	Minnesota man who killed teens in break-in charged with murder wow, this sounds pretty messed up... Cant tell if his guy is nuts or if these kids were on drugs By NBC News staff and wire services A 64-year-old Minnesota man was charged Monday with murder for killing two teenagers who he said broke into his Little Falls home, shooting them in the head, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. AP file Byron David Smith was arrested after he told police he shot and killed two teenagers who he said were breaking into his home on Thanksgiving Day. "If you're trying to shoot somebody and they laugh at you, you go again," Byron David Smith of Little Falls told investigators, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday. Smith was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Haile Kifer, 18, and her cousin, Nicholas Brady, 17, both of Little Falls. The teens were shot on Thanksgiving Day, but their deaths weren't reported until Friday. Advertise \| AdChoices Brady has also used the name Schaeffel, which is his mother’s maiden name, at times for family reasons, according to the sheriff's office. In the criminal complaint, Smith said he was in the basement of his remote home about 10 miles southwest of Little Falls when he heard a window breaking upstairs, followed by footsteps that eventually approached the basement stairwell. Fearful after several break-ins, according to the complaint, Smith said he fired when Brady came into view from the waist down. After the teen fell down the stairs, Smith said he shot him in the face as he lay on the floor. "I want him dead," the complaint quoted Smith telling an investigator. Smith said he dragged Brady's body into his basement workshop, then sat back down on his chair, and after a few minutes Kifer began coming down the stairs. He said he shot her as soon as her hips appeared, and she fell down the steps. Smith said he tried to shoot her again with his Mini 14 rifle, but that the gun jammed and Kifer laughed at him. "Smith stated that it was not a very long laugh because she was already hurting," according to the complaint. Smith said he then shot Kifer in the chest several times with a .22-caliber revolver, dragged her next to Brady, and with her still gasping for air, fired a shot under her chin "up into the cranium." "Smith described it as 'a good clean finishing shot,'" according to the compliant, but also that he acknowledged he had fired "more shots than (he) needed to." The following day he asked a neighbor to recommend a good lawyer, according to the complaint. He later asked his neighbor to call the police. A prosecutor called Smith's reaction "appalling." "Mr. Smith intentionally killed two teenagers in his home in a matter that goes well beyond self-defense," Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf said after Smith appeared at Morrison County District Court on Monday morning. Bail was set at $2 million. Follow @NBCNewsUS Minnesota law allows a homeowner to use deadly force on an intruder if a reasonable person would fear they're in danger of harm. Smith told investigators he was afraid the intruders might have a weapon. Smith's actions "sound like an execution" rather than legitimate self-defense, said David Pecchia, executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. Pecchia said his statements to investigators suggest he had eliminated any threat to his safety by wounding the cousins. Smith's brother, Bruce Smith, told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that the incident was the eighth burglary at Byron Smith's home in recent years. The only report the Morrison County sheriff's office has for a break-in at the home was for one on Oct. 27. It shows Byron Smith reported losing cash and gold coins worth $9,200, plus two guns worth $200 each, photo equipment worth more than $3,000 and a ring worth $300. Little Falls is about 100 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Brady's sister, Crystal Schaeffel, told the Star Tribune that Kifer had broken into her home before. Little Falls police records show Crystal Schaeffel reported a theft Aug. 28, but the department said the report was not public because that investigation was continuing and because it named juveniles. Tessa Ruth, an aunt of Brady, attended Smith's hearing. She told the Star Tribune she wished the man had fired a warning shot or alerted the police instead of shooting the teens. "It wasn't right for them to be there and, yes, he had a right to defend himself. But to execute them like that..." http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012...th-murder?lite
Posts: 1,036

05-02-2014, 07:52 AM	#602
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2038244	I can relate to this. I've had the same vehicle stolen from my house twice in 4 months. It's cost me my deductible both times, plus the inconvenience of the whole stolen car process. They tried to steal it again last night, but I put a Club on it and they couldn't get it, just smashed the window. I know it's the same people. I don't want to kill anyone, but I'd love to split some wigs. Hopefully, my wife wasn't recording our conversation this morning because I may have said some things, that I don't really fell, but would probably get me fired.
Posts: 34,057

06-04-2014, 05:24 PM	#611
chiefsfan987 MVP Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Casino cash: $8688441	NBC did a dateline story on this a couple weeks ago. I was surprised when no one bumped the thread after it aired. Here it is if anyone wants to watch. http://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/full...street-n107981
Posts: 6,172

06-04-2014, 05:29 PM	#612
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3477775	Time hasn't changed my opinion on this, the man crossed the line from legitimately fearful homeowner to cold blooded murderer with his actions... if any of you who think he got a bum deal could walk up to someone laying on the ground, coughing up blood, clearly dying and absolutely no threat to you and "finish them nice and clean" face to face? Then you need serious help, get off the internet and call a therapist, stat.
Posts: 91,944