Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The trial for a Cromwell man accused of murdering his mother in February has been changed to Dec. 5.
Tyler Samonte Smith, 20, of 11304 N. Enchanted Forest Lane, Cromwell, originally was set to stand trial Sept. 18 for allegedly murdering his mother, Rene Smith, 53, in February.
Tyler Smith's court-appointed attorney, David Kolbe, requested the change in trial date. The Dec. 5 trial date was set Thursday morning in a hearing in Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed's office. Tyler Smith faces one count of murder and one count of voluntary manslaughter. The trial is scheduled for four days.
When Tyler Smith was 19, he allegedly stabbed his mother six times with a 24-inch sword as she sat in a recliner in their home.
In March, Kolbe informed the court that Tyler Smith will use insanity as his defense. He underwent two court-ordered psychological exams in April and May.
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.
