NORTH VERNON — A probable cause affidavit filed Tuesday in Jennings County Circuit Court alleges a local man accused of murder had a “hit list” of additional people he wanted to kill.
William Steven “Billy” Smith, 45, North Vernon, is being held at the Jennings County Jail without bond on charges of murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, arson, resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, and obstruction of justice, according to court documents.
Smith was arrested on May 11 after Robert D. Boyd, 56, North Vernon, was found dead from a knife wound to the neck in the 100 block of West Walnut Street in North Vernon. Smith, who officers said is not related to the victim, had been living at Boyd’s residence along with another man that’s a witness in the investigation, the affidavit says.
The witness living at the home told officers he left for a walk with his dog late in the morning of May 11 before returning home to a locked house.
Around 11:30 a.m., a couple stopped by the residence to speak with Boyd about a lawnmower, the affidavit states. One of those witnesses talked to Smith on the back side of the residence, and noticed he was not wearing shoes or socks, was sweaty, and had “a lot of blood on his person.”
At the time, Smith told the witnesses that Boyd was sick, and that the blood on his pants and face was from a cut to the leg, the affidavit states. Smith then asked for a ride to a relative’s home, but the witnesses declined and left the residence.
The witness living in the home said that when they returned, after waiting a short time for the door to be unlocked, they made contact with Smith, who had a Bass Pro duffel bag, owned by Boyd, full of belongings. After telling the witness “let’s go, let’s go,” Smith fled the scene, the affidavit states.
The witness then entered the house, which they said smelled like gasoline. The witness told police he found a fire burning in the home, and that he stomped it out before finding Boyd and calling 911 around 1 p.m.
Police spoke with several locals as well as other close contacts to Smith while trying to locate him. One of those individuals claimed that Smith had a list of people he wanted to kill, which included a retired police officer, judge, and family members, as well as Boyd, the affidavit states.
Smith was arrested by local law enforcement after a five-hour search near West O&M Avenue east of the North Vernon Education and Training Center. Police said that Smith didn’t initially stop when verbally confronted by officers, but laid down on his back and complied after a short pursuit.
Officers found two knives, marijuana, a crystal-like substance, and brown substance on Smith in addition to two articles belonging to the deceased victim, the affidavit states. One of the items was a lighter and another was a metal box of cigarettes — both of which had Boyd’s name on them.
Smith’s initial hearing is set for Friday at 8:30 a.m., court officials said.
