Man Convicted for Forging Murder Scene to Claim Self Defense

A man from North Carolina has been convicted for staging the murder of a woman and falsely claiming that he acted in self-defense.

Solicitor David Stumbo announced that Wilson Justice Xavier Smith was found guilty on Thursday, January 22, for murder and illegal possession of a weapon while committing a violent crime.

At 27 years old, Smith has received a 40-year prison sentence for the murder conviction, alongside an additional five years for the weapon charge.

His conviction comes three years after he was linked to a shooting incident that occurred in December 2022. During that time, emergency services were called to the Burfield Apartment complex in Greenwood, South Carolina, following a 911 call reporting that a man had shot a woman who allegedly attempted to shoot him first. The caller was identified as Smith.

Upon officers' arrival, they discovered 22-year-old Ahkeyra Raysor deceased from a gunshot wound to the head, with a shotgun conspicuously placed atop her body.

Smith initially claimed that Raysor shot at him first, and he only acted in self-defense, as reported by Stumbo.

"Officers were immediately suspicious of Smith’s account based on the evidence present at the scene," Stumbo indicated. "Smith claimed that Raysor shot the weapon, yet DNA tests on the shotgun revealed Smith's DNA alongside three other unidentified individuals, with no trace of Raysor’s DNA found on it."

After the emergency call, investigators interviewed witnesses whose accounts did not align with Smith’s narrative.

Authorities probed further into the shooting, ultimately concluding that Smith had manipulated the crime scene and fabricated his defense claim.

Moreover, Smith had removed the murder weapon from the location.

Stumbo emphasized, "All these factors pointed toward Smith’s manipulation of the crime scene, coupled with his false self-defense narrative."

This incident has been described as a calculated violent act, followed by a deliberate effort to mislead law enforcement and evade accountability. Stumbo highlighted, "Thanks to the concerted efforts of investigators, prosecutors, victim advocates, and administrative staff, justice triumphed, and a violent killer has faced the consequences of his actions. Our commitment to securing justice for crime victims and ensuring community safety will continue."

The trial spanned two weeks, and the jury deliberated for over ten hours before delivering a guilty verdict on the charges. Circuit Judge Donald B. Hocker subsequently imposed the sentence on Smith. According to South Carolina law, individuals sentenced for murder are required to serve their time fully, meaning Smith will not qualify for parole.

Post-verdict, Stumbo commended the dedication of his team, lead investigator Major Blake Shockley, and the members of the Greenwood Police Department for their diligence throughout the case. He reiterated that the result was the culmination of a collective team effort.