Douglas Smith, Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country, New Mexico 2018

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71-Year-Old Española Man Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter

A federal jury in New Mexico has convicted 71-year-old Douglas Smith of involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. Smith faces up to eight years in prison for his crime.

The incident occurred on the Santa Clara Pueblo in the early morning hours of May 5, 2018. Smith shot a woman he believed was trying to break into his mother’s camper trailer. He was armed with a .22 caliber handgun and fired multiple rounds, one of which struck the victim in the upper left temple, killing her.

No weapons or burglary tools were located near the victim, who was an enrolled member of the Santa Clara Pueblo. Smith, a non-Indian, is accused of shooting the woman without justification.

The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Novaline Wilson and Kyle Nayback are prosecuting the case.

Smith is currently facing the possibility of up to eight years in prison for his conviction. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case highlights the importance of accountability in Indian Country and the need for justice for victims and their families.

Douglas Smith, 71, of Española, New Mexico, was convicted today by a federal jury of involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country.

According to a criminal complaint and other court records, in the early morning hours of May 5, 2018, Smith shot a woman he believed was trying to break into his mother’s camper trailer. Smith walked outside his residence to investigate a motion sensor alarm, armed with a .22 caliber handgun.

When he saw someone at the door of the camper trailer, he fired multiple rounds, one of which struck the victim in the upper left temple, killing her. No weapons or burglary tools were located near the victim.

The incident occurred on the Santa Clara Pueblo and the victim was an enrolled member of the Santa Clara Pueblo. Smith is non-Indian. Smith faces up to eight years in prison.