USA - Alabama. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals orders new trial for Larry Reynolds Smith

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals orders new trial for Larry Reynolds Smith, 40, white. Smith was convicted of capital murder in August 1996, and his conviction and sentenced was affirmed by the Alabama Supreme Court on Jan. 8, 1999. But Smith continued to appeal on grounds that his lawyer did a poor job in defending him. Following a hearing on Nov. 6, 2006, the Marshall County Circuit Court granted Smith a new trial on Jan. 12, 2007, but the state appealed. The appeals court today agreed with the Marshall County judge that Smith deserves a new trial because his lawyer was ineffective. Smith was convicted in the Sept. 23, 1994 robbery and shooting death of Dennis Harris.