CROMWELL - A 19-year-old Cromwell man who allegedly killed his mother Feb. 23, used a 24-inch sword to stab her six times in the upper body while she sat in a chair.

Tyler Samonte Smith, of 11304 N. Enchanted Forest Lane, Cromwell, reportedly stabbed his mother, Rene Smith, 53, during an argument at the home. Rene Smith's body was found slouched in am armchair in the Enchanted Forest residence when police arrived at the scene around 11 p.m. Feb. 23.

According to Kosciusko County Coroner John Sadler, Rene Smith suffered a total of six stab wounds, five in the chest and abdomen area and one in the left arm.

Although Sadler believes a specific wound was the fatal blow, he said, "Three total (wounds) could have been fatal."

Toxicology tests are being performed on Rene Smith, but results will not be available for four to six weeks.

Drug tests also were performed on Tyler Smith when he was arrested, but results will not be available until next week.

Drug paraphernalia, including marijuana pipes, a water bong and a crack pipe, and more than 30 knives, including many martial arts-type swords, reportedly were found inside the home shortly after the stabbing.

Tyler Smith allegedly used a 24-inch Japanese sword with a blade approximately 18 inches in length to stab his mother.

Tyler Smith appeared before Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex L. Reed Feb. 24 for an initial hearing and entered a preliminary plea of not guilty to charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter, both Class A felonies. According to the charging information filed with the court, voluntary manslaughter involves intentionally killing "another human being ... while acting under sudden heat." David C. Kolbe was appointed as Tyler Smith's public defender. A status conference in the case is scheduled March 26 at 1:30 a.m. and the final pretrial conference is set for April 27 at 9:30 a.m.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department responded to a call of a possible shooting at 11304 Enchanted Forest Lane, Cromwell. When officers arrived, Ron Smith said his wife was dead inside the home.

Ron Smith told officers when he went to bed, Tyler and Rene Smith had been arguing all evening. Ron Smith woke up, heard his wife and son arguing and walked in the living room to see Tyler Smith standing over Rene with a sword in his hands.

Ron Smith told police he saw Tyler stab Rene twice with the sword.

Tyler Smith reportedly told a KCSD detective he was arguing with his mother, who threatened to call police on him.

"Tyler Smith advised he got the sword while waiting for the police to arrive," said the probable cause affidavit. "Tyler Smith advised he and his mother were fighting and he pulled the sword out of the sheath and stabbed Rene Smith three times in the chest."

Police have been called to the residence in the past for domestic disturbances. As a juvenile, Tyler Smith was charged with domestic battery.

According to Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, police have been called to the residence on several occasions, and there have been ongoing arguments at the home.

Tyler Smith allegedly told police his intent was to stab his mother then make the police shoot him at the scene. However, once police arrived, Tyler Smith surrendered peacefully.

The case remains under investigation by the KCSD, the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's Office and the Kosciusko County Coroner's Office. [[In-content Ad]]