Jury Finds Eau Claire Man Not Guilty in Homicide Trial
posted February 23, 2024
Butler Eagle, February 16, 2024
Dakota B. Hughes
An Eau Claire man, who was accused of killing his mother’s boyfriend last year, was found not guilty on all charges, a jury decided Friday, Feb. 16.
Dakota B. Hughes, 23, was charged in relation to the March 2 shooting death of Seth G. Smith, 27, of Venango County, in the home Hughes shares with his mother.
Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph Kubit dismissed the jury after the panel deliberated for about three hours Thursday following closing arguments.
The jury came back together Friday morning, and their decision arrived before noon Friday.
In closing arguments Thursday, Hughes’ attorney, Al Lindsay, said the shooting was an act of self-defense and asked the jury for mercy, while the district attorney's office said Hughes carried out a premeditated plan to kill Smith.
Jury Finds Eau Claire Man Not Guilty in Homicide Trial
Tracy Leturgey Eagle Assignment EditorButler Eagle, February 16, 2024
Dakota B. Hughes
An Eau Claire man, who was accused of killing his mother’s boyfriend last year, was found not guilty on all charges, a jury decided Friday, Feb. 16.
Dakota B. Hughes, 23, was charged in relation to the March 2 shooting death of Seth G. Smith, 27, of Venango County, in the home Hughes shares with his mother.
Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph Kubit dismissed the jury after the panel deliberated for about three hours Thursday following closing arguments.
The jury came back together Friday morning, and their decision arrived before noon Friday.
In closing arguments Thursday, Hughes’ attorney, Al Lindsay, said the shooting was an act of self-defense and asked the jury for mercy, while the district attorney's office said Hughes carried out a premeditated plan to kill Smith.
