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The Cromwell teen accused of murdering his mother in February will plead insanity as his defense.
Tyler Samonte Smith, 19, of 11304 N. Enchanted Forest Lane, Cromwell, allegedly stabbed his mother, Rene Smith, 53, six times with a 24-inch sword in their home Feb. 23. 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.
According to documents filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Tyler Smith will use insanity as his defense and was ordered to undergo two court-ordered exams. The first exam was scheduled for Wednesday and the second is set for April 6.
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.
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. David C. Kolbe was appointed as Tyler Smith's public defender. A status conference in the case is scheduled next week 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 allegedly 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 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.
