DAPHNE, AL – A grand jury has indicted a 22-year-old man on four counts of capital murder in connection with the brutal 2023 slayings of his grandparents, brother, and a family friend in Daphne, Alabama. The accused, Jared Tarant Smith-Bracy of Bay Minette, faces severe charges following the tragic incident that shocked the community.
The Mobile County Grand Jury handed down the indictment on Friday, charging Smith-Bracy with the deaths of his 72-year-old grandmother, Barbara Smith; his 27-year-old brother, Jeremy Smith; and 71-year-old family friend, Sheila Glover. Authorities discovered their bodies on February 23, 2023, in the backyard of the grandparents’ home. Additionally, Smith-Bracy is accused of using a pickaxe to kill his 80-year-old grandfather, Lenard Smith, inside a bedroom.
During his arraignment in February 2023, Smith-Bracy entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental defect. A court-ordered mental evaluation was conducted earlier this year to assess his mental state at the time of the alleged crimes.
The motive behind the killings remains unclear. On the day of the incident, Smith-Bracy was initially arrested for criminal mischief after allegedly damaging a door at the family home. Following his release on bond, a friend reportedly drove him back to the house, where he allegedly used the friend’s gun to commit the killings. The friend, whose identity has not been disclosed, called 911 after hearing gunshots and immediately went to a police station.
With the formal indictment, Smith-Bracy remains in custody without bond as the legal process continues. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.