Arrest warrant out for key witness in 5-year-old’s murder case

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A warrant is out for the arrest of the key witness in a Fort Myers murder case.

“On one end, in the streets, they label you a snitch. On the other hand, you are the one who seen what happened to my son, and you aren’t speaking on it.”

Toyetta Simpson agrees with a judge’s decision Monday, to order the arrest of 18-year-old Cashae Smith.

“Do the right thing. You were friends with me.”

Smith is a key witness in the murder case against Thomas Edison and Terrance Irons.

The two men are accused of killing Simpson’s 5-year-old son, Andrew Faust Jr., in a drive-by shooting last October.

“If that happened to her son, what would she expect me to do?”

Smith went to police three days after the murder, identifying Edison and Irons as the suspects.

Since then, she has ignored four subpoenas to appear in court to testify. Now prosecutors want her to explain why she has not shown up.

“I was penalized because I lost my son. She’s penalized and getting ready to lose her freedom, for something we had nothing to do with.”

The defense says, Smith’s actions could cause the men to go free.

“She is the witness for the state. I think their case rises and falls with this witness,” said Tracey Redd, attorney for Thomas Edison.

They say even if she does testify eventually, that testimony will look fishy, because of her arrest.

“No matter what happens now. If she sticks with her story obviously we’ll see problems with inconsistency but if her story does change, it’s basically under threat of her life. She’d be in a cage if she doesn’t say what the state wants her to say,” said Joe Viacava, attorney for Terrance Irons.

Simpson hopes her son gets the justice he deserves.

“I don’t understand what would make her not want to do that for a friend.”

Once Smith is arrested, she will appear before a judge. The judge can set bond, and give any other sanctions he deems necessary. If she gives a deposition to the state, she will not be punished.

As for the defense, they say they plan to file motions for their clients this week, to ask for new bonds.