North Vernon police release name of victim

Smith

9:40 A.M. UPDATE

The North Vernon Police Department has released the name of the victim in a suspected homicide that occurred Tuesday in Jennings County.

Robert D. Boyd, 56, North Vernon, has been identified as the deceased individual that was found on Tuesday in the 100 block of West Walnut Street in North Vernon. Police said that Boyd, who died of a knife wound, is not of family relation to William Steven “Billy” Smith, 45, North Vernon, who has been arrested on a preliminary murder charge.

Police said more information will soon be released on the investigation. Check www.therepublic.com for updates.

Smith
Smith

ORIGINAL STORY

Officers with the NVPD report the victim in a suspected homicide Tuesday knew the alleged attacker and died from a knife wound.

William Steven “Billy” Smith, 45, of North Vernon was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder after a five-hour search by police in Jennings County. He is currently being held without bond at the Jennings County Jail in North Vernon.

North Vernon Police Department Sgt. Andrew Richmond said Smith had lived in the North Vernon area for several years but hasn’t had a stable home address during that time. The deceased individual was an acquaintance of Smith’s, Richmond said.

The search for Smith started around 1 p.m. Tuesday after a deceased person was found in a residence in the 100 block of West Walnut Street in North Vernon, police said.

A citizen tipped Jennings Central Dispatch as to Smith’s whereabouts that evening, Richmond said.

Smith was seen walking a dog in the area of West O and M Avenue east of the North Vernon Education and Training Center around 6 p.m. when officers with NVPD, the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Conservation located him, Richmond said. Police said Smith fled across residential back yards to escape, but he did not physically engage officers when caught.

Smith was in possession of what appeared to be two controlled substances and drug paraphernalia upon his arrest, Richmond said.

Besides the murder charge, Smith also faces charges of robbery, theft and possession of methamphetamine, according to arrest records.

Despite reports that Smith was possibly in the Seymour area, Richmond said police believe he never left Jennings County during the search.

North Vernon police said Smith has come into contact with local law enforcement frequently.

Police department records show Smith has been involved in at least 22 incident reports since 2004 and has been arrested 14 times since 2010.

Court records show Smith pleaded guilty to domestic battery with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony, in November 2020. He was sentenced to 360 days in jail by Jennings Circuit Court Judge Jon W. Webster.