A tale of Julius Caesar: Floyd Wayne Smith found guilty of murder

A jury has found Floyd “Wayne” Smith guilty on all three of his charges: conspiracy to commit murder, murder and assisting a criminal.

2020 homicide has been found guilty of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and assisting a criminal.

A jury found floyd "wayne" smith guilty on all three of his charges this afternoon.

News 18's anna darling was in the courtroom for the entire trial this week.

She tells us more about the verdict.

There were tears on both sides of this case as judge randy williams read the jury's verdict.

Tears of joy and tears of sadness.

Family members of smith and of the victim, donnie alkire, were both present in the courtroom to hear the results.

While smith didn't actually kill donnie on march 7th, 2020, the state argued that he was involved in every aspect of the crime leading up to it, during and after.

Joseph wilkerson is currently serving his sentence for stabbing donnie in the neck.

Evidence showed that smith drove them to donnie's home.

He did not try to stop wilkerson, he did not render aid, and he left the scene.

The defense tried to argue that from the get-go, everything was initiated by wilkerson.

But the jury didn't buy it.

In a statement, tippecanoe county prosecutor patrick harrington thanked the lafayette police department, the tippecanoe county high tech crime unit and his prosecuting team for their hard work.

He said "i hope in some small way, this verdict helps bring justice to the family of donald alkire."

Donnie's family members said they are happy for the verdict.

And that while it won't bring their loved one back, it is one step closer to healing.

Smith's sentencing hearing is currently set for april 30th.

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