Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
In Kosciusko County Circuit Court Thursday, a Cromwell teen pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter, a Class A felony, for killing his mother in February.
In exchange for pleading guilty, Tyler S. Smith, 20, of 11304 N. Enchanted Forest Lane, Cromwell, will not face charges for murder.
Smith faces 20 to 50 years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter charge. He pleaded guilty to "knowingly or intentionally killing another (person) ... while acting under sudden heat."
On Feb. 23, Smith allegedly stabbed his mother, Rene Smith, 53, six times with a sword in their Enchanted Forest Lane home. Rene Smith's body was found slouched in an armchair in the Enchanted Forest residence when police arrived at the scene around 11 p.m. Feb. 23.
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.
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. He 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.
A sentencing date was not set for Smith because his attorney, David Kolbe, requested at least 45 days to prepare for it. A conference will be held to set a sentencing date at a later time.
