A laundry list of unresolved charges, among them driving without alicense, speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, use of a fictitiouslicense tag, breaking and entering and resisting arrest, kept Smith injail until Monday afternoon.
But Smith's attorney still has a burning question: why did Smith haveto spend almost two years behind bars before justice was rendered?
After 20 months in solitary confinement, a week long trial, andan acquittal on murder charges, Smith had still another day in court.His attorneys made quick work of a list of unresolved charges, then it wason to freedom, and his waiting family. He was tried on four counts ofmurder for Raleigh's deadliest act of arson. He told WRAL-TV5'sMark Robertsthe police departmentneeds to face up to a bad investigation.
Joe Cheshire, Smith's attorney says the real story is how close hisclient came to deathrow.
Smith's mother, Gloria Harris, says she was glad the system worked.
Assistant District Attorney Zeseley Haislip still thinks Smith is guilty.
Jermaine Smith still has two court dates, one this month, one nextmonth, to resolve the charges against him. Another potential courtappearance may prove more interesting. Both Smith and his attorney appearto be interested in pressing a lawsuit against the Raleigh policedepartment.
Photographer:Greg Clark
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