He was accused of the 2006 murder of Reynato Logan, 28, a resident of Punta Gorda and a handyman in the city, but late this evening at about 3:30 p.m., a jury of twelve persons, nine women and three men, deliberated for over three hours to return a not guilty verdict in the case of Harrison Smith, 24, charged with murder, and in the alternative, manslaughter.
Smith was accused of killing Logan after a shooting incident that occurred on August 8, 2006, through Taylor’s Alley, an alley located across the street from a popular shopping center, Extra House, located on Cemetery Road.
Logan, it was alleged, pointed out his attacker to police immediately after being shot at least four times in the body.
PC Daniel Flowers, the first police officer to the scene, said that Logan pointed out Smith as his attacker when he, Flowers, approached Logan as he lay through the alley, injured.
Flowers said Smith later disappeared when he tried to approach him, but returned shortly after to the scene.
According to Flowers, Smith approached him, and he told him what Logan had said. Smith was arrested and taken into custody.
Logan later died after being transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital while receiving treatment, and Smith was then charged with his murder.
In his defense, Smith, the father of two children, said he was innocent of the crime, although he placed himself at the crime scene.
Smith said he was at Aqui Me Quedo Bar on Regent Street, working as a bouncer, and left after 12:30, when he came upon the shooting scene.
Smith, who said he was like a brother to Logan, said that he had tried to get help for Logan because he was hurt and he tried to get the police to take him (Logan) to the KHMH.
He left the scene, as PC Flowers told the court, for a taxi to help Logan, but when he returned to the scene, he was arrested, said Smith.
In his defense he had called his boss, Alvarado Pinto, the owner then of Aqui Me Quedo Bar, as an alibi.
Pinto was able to collaborate Smith’s story of being at work, telling the court that Smith worked that night until 12:35.
It was clear that the jurors believed Smith’s version of the story.
Police control room got the call about a shooting at 12:20, and Smith was at work until 12:35 a.m., so he could not be at the two places, said his attorney, Dean Lindo.
Harrison Smith told the newspaper that he is so happy today, and wants to try and make up for the 16 months that he was on remand. He missed the birth of his baby girl, now seven months, and he has a son, age 6.
Throughout his trial, his common-law-wife supported him.