CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — New evidence was revealed Thursday as testimonies continue in the trial against Cassandra Smith, accused of killing a Charlotte County deputy while drunk driving.
The trial against 31-year-old Cassandra Smith, who allegedly killed CCSO Deputy Taylor in a DUI crash, resumed in the Charlotte County Courthouse Thursday at 9 a.m.
Testimonies Continue
911 operator Victoria Mazy was the first witness to take the stand Thursday morning.
Mazy presented new, previously redacted audio of Smith’s 911 call from the night of Nov. 22, 2022.
During the playback of the call, Smith continues repeating the phrase, “I’m pretty sure I just killed somebody.”
Meanwhile, Smith showed no emotion as the audio rolled.
Deputy Taylor’s fiance left the courtroom because it was too emotional.
Cpl. Matthew Sill, a Traffic Homicide Investigator with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), was on call that night and responded to the scene.
He said a paramedic drew Smith’s blood with equipment in a kit provided by FHP.
“She had bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and was carefree. Not a typical response from someone involved in a crash who doesn’t have signs of impairment,” Sill said.
Smith’s blood was first drawn at around 12:30 a.m., nearly four hours after the crash.
Afternoon Testimonies
Around 11 a.m., the jury heard from witness Kelly Harrington, Director of Asset Protection for RaceTrac gas station stores, who is responsible for managing the surveillance cameras.
Within the hour before the crash, video footage captured Smith’s green Jeep rolling into the RaceTrac parking lot at 13631 Goldenwood Drive in Fort Myers
Smith can be seen walking into the gas station, going into the cold freezers, and purchasing items with the cashier.
She then leaves the store, sits in her car for a few minutes, and backs out.
Harrington showed the jury a receipt, matching the card number Smith used that night.
The receipt listed a Starbucks Triple Shot, a 4 Loko, and a Life Water.
Jennifer Lewis with FDLE displayed analyzed pieces of evidence to the jury, including Smith’s BAC samples.
Both Angel Camarillo’s and Smith’s BAC were sampled and analyzed twice. No alcohol was found in Camarillo’s blood samples.
However, Smith’s samples came back as .258 and .258.
“Yes…it is higher than .08,” Lewis said.
Master Cpl. David Brunner, FHP lead investigator, recognized the tire mire before approaching the scene.
“You start where cars in final resting and work backwards to find out where they were and where they came from,” Brunner said.
Brunner explained the damage to both vehicles, indicating consistency with high-speed impact.
He said Smith was traveling 99 mph until three seconds prior to the crash. According to the black box, the brake was never pressed in the final five seconds before impact.
He also found the same 4 Loko purchased at the RaceTrac, underneath Smith’s Jeep — still cold, with a straw in the can.
FDLE scientist Danielle Hayes testified that DNA found on the straw matched Smith to “an extremely high degree.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Day 2: Emotional testimony and evidence introduced in trial against woman accused of killing CCSO deputy
If convicted, Smith faces more than 30 years in prison for the following charges:
- DUI manslaughter
- Two counts of DUI damage to property or another person
- Vehicular homicide
- Refusing to submit to a DUI test following a suspended license
Count on NBC2 to provide the latest updates in this trial.