Brother of slain councilwoman indicted

Timothy Smith Jr., the brother of slain Berryville Councilwoman Gail Smith, has been indicted on a charge of solicitation to commit murder, according a press release issued today by Berryville Police Chief W. Neal White.

Here is the release:

Date: July 14, 2011

On June 28, 2011 an indictment for solicitation to commit murder was served on Timothy Smith Jr. This indictment was obtained as a result of the investigation into the July 2009 homicide of Gail Smith, a case still actively being investigated by the Berryville Police Department with support from the Clarke County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and Federal Authorities.

The indictment for solicitation to commit murder was secured by Investigator Greg Frenzel of the Berryville Police Department before a Grand Jury in Prince Edward County, Virginia. The charge will be prosecuted by the Prince Edward County Commonwealth's Attorney Office. While the material facts presented to the Grand Jury concerning this indictment are not being released, it concerns actions that occurred in Prince Edward County in May 2009.

Timothy Smith Jr. is currently serving a sentence in the Lunenburg Correctional Center. He is being held without bond for the new Prince Edward County indictment of solicitation to commit murder. No further court dates for processing or trial have been set in Prince Edward County at this time.

Authorization: Chief W. Neal White