Attorney For Woman Charged In ‘Panhandler’ Killing Says She’s Innocent, Evidence ‘Circumstantial’

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore Police picked up a father and daughter captured near Mexico earlier this month and brought them back to Maryland to face murder charges in a case that’s grabbed nationwide attention.

Police say on December 1, 2018, Keith and Valeria Smith stabbed Jacquelyn Smith — Keith’s wife — in Baltimore and claimed a panhandler did it.

The two held a tearful press conference following the killing.

Brandon Mead, who represents Valeria Smith, told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren his client will fight the charges. “Ms. Smith certainly maintains her innocence. She looks forward to the opportunity to prove that in court.”

“We don’t know a lot yet,” he said. Referring to charging documents, Meade told WJZ, “It’s 15 pages of a lot of circumstantial evidence.”

Meade said the flight from Texas to Baltimore was delayed. “We’re looking forward to actually sitting down with Ms. Smith discussing the case in person and going over everything that the state says they have with regards to the case.“

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