CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The courtroom was filled with tension as the trial progressed Friday morning in the case of Kendal Crank, a 27-year-old mother whose life was tragically cut short in 2019 by a stray bullet while driving to her nursing class at Central Piedmont Community College. Adonis Smith, implicated in the fatal incident that took place on March 28, 2019, near North Tryon Street, testified for the second day detailing the events that led to the unintended death.
Smith, who shared his narrative of the events, claimed he discharged a firearm in self-defense during what police describe as a shootout. His retrial saw him assert that his actions were not intended to harm anyone, and he expressed regret upon learning he had inadvertently killed an innocent bystander. He recounted the immediate aftermath of the shooting, noting his shock and disbelief upon learning that the bullet had claimed a victim.
“I never would have knowingly put anyone’s life in danger,” Smith lamented during his testimony. His statement underscored a chaotic scene that followed the gunfight, describing how he discarded the weapon inside the vehicle and tried to flee from the area.
Also charged in this case were Tychicus Dobie and Marquis Smith, both projected to face their respective trials later this year. The prosecution challenged Smith’s sequence of events, suggesting inconsistencies in his recounting to the court. The defense, however, maintained that Smith acted in a moment of perceived threat and highlighted his subsequent cooperation with law enforcement.
The trial saw new twists as Smith, who was only 17 at the time of the incident, issued a public apology on Thursday, gesturing towards remorse and the heavy burden he has carried since the day of the shooting. His attorney emphasized this point, depicting him as a scared teenager caught in a dangerous situation out of his control.
The closing arguments are scheduled for the afternoon following the conclusion of all testimonies. The jury, set to deliberate starting Monday, faces the task of unraveling the complexities of a case entangled in issues of gun violence, youth culpability, and accidental homicide.
The community remains riveted by the case, which starkly highlights ongoing concerns over gun safety and the repercussions of indiscriminate firing in populated areas. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have reiterated their commitment to addressing gun-related incidents, advocating for stronger measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the court adjourned Friday, the fate of Adonis Smith hung in the balance, with the city of Charlotte closely watching for a verdict that could potentially set precedents in how similar cases are adjudicated moving forward. The trial not only determines the consequence for the accused but also represents a critical moment of reflection for the community on the impacts of firearm misuse.