Episode 134 In 1999, LaQuinta Smith was found dead inside her burning home in North Bend, Oregon. Investigators believed her estranged husband, Alby Smith, had murdered her and deliberately set the fire to cover his tracks. But did the evidence actually support that conclusion? In Part 2, we're heading into the courtroom, where competing expert testimony, questionable investigative methods, and a mountain of circumstantial evidence paint a far more complicated picture than we initially expected. We examine the mysterious disappearance of LaQuinta's rings, the sleeping medication found in her system, and the medical evidence surrounding her death. Then we take a deep dive into the fire investigation, exploring whether a malfunctioning oil furnace could explain the blaze—and why renowned fire investigator John DeHaan challenged the prosecution's conclusions. Along the way, we question the science behind some of the expert testimony, examine a possible financial motive, and consider just how much weight circumstantial evidence should carry. The jury reached its verdict. But after examining the evidence from both sides, we're left with some serious questions. Would you have convicted Alby Smith? Join us for the conclusion of Flames in the Fog, and tell us how you would have ruled. CHECK OUT MY NEW AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.anauthornamedapril.com The Crime to Burn Patreon - The Cult of Steve - is LIVE NOW! Go join and get all the unhinged you can handle. Click here to be sanctified. Inner Sanctum Acknowledgments: Eternal gratitude to our Inner Sanctum patrons, Melanie Curtis, Beth Charis-Molling, and Brett Russ for helping us bring light to the stories others would rather leave in the ashes. Listener discretion is advised. Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated Get your Crime to Burn Merch! https://crimetoburn.myspreadshop.com Please follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube for the latest news on this case. You can email us at crimetoburn@gmail.com We welcome any constructive feedback and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating and review. If you need a way to keep your canine contained, you can also support the show by purchasing a Pawious wireless dog fence using our affiliate link and use the code "crimetoburn" at checkout to receive 10% off. Pawious, because our dog Winston needed a radius, not a rap sheet. SOURCES: “Burning Obsession.” Exhumed: Killer Revealed, Season 2, Episode 5. May 29, 2022. Viewed on Fandango at Home. https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Exhumed-Killer-Revealed-Burning-Obsession/2040880 Sirocchi, Andrew. “Smith Gets 32 Years.” The World, June 30, 2021. https://theworldlink.com/smith-gets-32-years/article_e638b6a8-fcc4-5f9b-8f0e-44920d677c84.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Counselor Testifies Wife Had a Temper.” The World, June 15, 2001. https://theworldlink.com/counselor-testifies-wife-had-a-temper/article_e337deb7-9c1d-5581-8555-40bba36bca27.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Murder Trial: Federal Agent Says Fire Scene Altered.” The World, June 13, 2001. https://theworldlink.com/murder-case-moving-more-quickly-than-expected/article_2b988284-1efb-56d7-b066-7078ae8a03a4.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Testimony Focuses on LaQuinta Smith’s Rings.” The World, June 14, 2021. https://theworldlink.com/testimony-focuses-on-laquinta-smiths-rings/article_7ed44866-f7eb-5dcd-931a-a6993d48f71c.html “Court Rejects Smith Convictions Appeal.” The World, March 13, 2004. https://theworldlink.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/court-rejects-smith-convictions-appeal/article_17855d76-3cc9-5b51-9359-0aff5bdb5373.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Jury Finds Alby Smith Guilty.” The World, June 21, 2001. https://theworldlink.com/jury-finds-alby-smith-guilty/article_15a2ddde-baa4-5c6d-a8af-1c3eddde6721.html Alby Ardell Smith, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Guy Hall, Respondent-Appellee. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Submitted January 10, 2012. [Link not provided] Sirocchi, Andrew. “Family, Friends Grieve Victim as Trial Begins.” The World, June 7, 2001. https://theworldlink.com/family-friends-grieve-victim-as-trial-begins/article_0c96b13b-7449-55b3-b4b6-e80677f68167.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Murder Case Moving More Quickly Than Expected.” The World, June 12, 2001. https://theworldlink.com/murder-case-moving-more-quickly-than-expected/article_2b988284-1efb-56d7-b066-7078ae8a03a4.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Alby Smith: ‘No, I Did Not Kill My Wife.’” The World. June 16, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/alby-smith-no-i-did-not-kill-my-wife/article_98dff127-a7ff-5a47-962e-9ec303ef6525.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Autopsy: Victim Dead When House Burned.” The World. June 8, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/autopsy-victim-dead-when-house-burned/article_47301820-39e0-58a5-bb13-c6747637513f.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Judge Refuses Retrial Request.” The World. July 3, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/judge-refuses-retrial-request/article_88fcdd77-5ff6-5ddb-acf9-fde955e6ebe3.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Murder Trial: Smith Admits to Hiding Affair.” The World. June 19, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/murder-trial-smith-admits-to-hiding-affair/article_5658bc41-e5b1-59fe-93b2-20a567f4653c.html Sirocchi, Andrew. “Smith Murder, Arson Case Handed Over to Jury.” The World. June 20, 2001. https://theworldlink.com/smith-murder-arson-case-handed-over-to-jury/article_82e6f4a3-c1a7-5e84-899f-127c1f2fa0b7.html
