Woman accused of killing deputy to stand trial in Charlotte County on Tuesday

Reporter: Jolena Esperto Writer: Matias Abril
Published: Updated:
Cassandra Smith
Cassandra Smith’s mugshot. Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

The woman accused of driving drunk and killing a deputy will stand trial in Charlotte County.

Cassandra Smith’s attorney had asked to move her trial elsewhere, saying there was too much local publicity.

A judge denied the request Thursday in a Charlotte County courtroom.

Last year, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputy Christopher Taylor was performing a traffic stop along Interstate 75 when investigators say Smith crossed three lanes of traffic, hitting and killing him.

The judge said whatever the defense needs to get done needs to be finished before jury selection on Tuesday.

The jury pool will be made up of 90 people from Charlotte County.

The defense and judge disagreed on just how long the defense needed to prepare for trial in court on Thursday, but the judge said there has been enough, in fact ample, time to prepare.

The defense says it wants to speak with more EMS witnesses disclosed last month, and the judge said anyone else Smith’s attorney needs to speak with can be spoken to on Monday, the day before the trial starts.

The defense doesn’t plan to call any witnesses during the trial, which is expected to wrap up on Friday.

The state has 10 to 15 witnesses listed to take the stand.

There were no plea deals offered to Smith, and if found guilty, she faces 30 years in jail.

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