LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - The door of a non-descript room in the Morrison County Courthouse provides a portal of sorts, a passage back to a day when two wayward teens would lose their lives, and a retired government worker would choose a violent path that would eventually cost him his freedom.
The temporary evidence room set up in the courthouse is filled with physical evidence, video and audio recordings and pictures that would lead a jury to convict Byron Smith on four counts of murder in the shooting deaths of 17-year-old Nick Brady and his cousin, 18-year-old Haile Kifer. Courthouse personnel opened the doors to the public at 9:30 a.m., and planned to close it at 2 p.m. At this point it is uncertain if the room will be opened additional days, or if the evidence will be boxed up and placed in a fire-proof evidence lockup.
KARE 11's Karla Hult was among those who took in the display Wednesday morning, scanning the medical examiner's report and autopsy photos, looking at pictures of the murder scene and evidence of previous break-ins at Smith's home.There are 379 exhibits that were entered into evidence: Karla says all together, they are haunting images that reflect a day of horrible violence.
Evidence collections are regularly available to the public, but for the community of Little Falls this one may prove particularly impactful. It could lend insight and closure for those struggling to understand exactly what happened that Thanksgiving day, and why it happened.
Anyone interested in viewing the evidence collection can do so by making an appointment with the Morrison County Administrator.
