A Marion County man was booked into Grundy County Jail on September 23, 2018, charged with murdering his wife in front of their children.
John Wesley Smith and estranged wife Nicole shared four children. Their kids are among the six children police say were inside the residence in Grundy County at the time of the shooting.
Smith then shot Nicole’s father, Jerone Powell, and Gary Christopher Hurst of Bridgeport, Alabama.
After five years of delays, the case against John Wesley Smith concluded Friday afternoon. September 1, 2023.
Smith was found guilty on the following charges against him except for one attempted premeditated first-degree; he was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder in that charge.
Guilty of premeditated first-degree murder of his wife, Carolyn Nicole Powell.
Guilty attempted premeditated first-degree murder of Gary Christopher Hurst.
Guilty aggravated assault with a deadly weapon of Betty Chrissy Powell.
Guilty of reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of Betty Chrissy Powell.
Guilty of reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of Becky Jones.
Guilty of reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of Jacob Smith.
Guilty of reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of Christopher Smith.
Guilty of reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of, Leo Birdwell.
Guilty of reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of Noah Smith.
Guilty of reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of Rachel Smith.
Guilty of the reckless endangerment by use of a deadly weapon of Christopher Hurst.
Not guilty of attempted premeditated first-degree murder of Jerone Powell. Guilty of attempted second-degree murder.
Smith will be sentenced officially in October, but premeditated first-degree murder is a mandatory life sentence.
