01152013 - Officer Jeff Smith - Eaton Rapids PD

At the trial for the domestic violence incident, Officer Jeff Smith admitted to pulling out his gun and holding it to his head! But the jurors found him not guilty of domestic violence...What were they thinking???

Coverage of Officer Jeff Smith's trial

Coverage update on Officer Jeff Smith's trial

On January 15, 2013 Eaton Rapids PD Sergeant Jeff Smith was arraigned on domestic violence charges, for an incident that took place on July 07, 2012.

Sgt. Charged of Domestic Violence Found Not Guilty
Posted: Apr 17, 2013 10:37 AM CDT
Updated: Apr 17, 2013 4:15 PM CDT
By Maria Hechanova
http://www.wlns.com/story/22002288/closing-arguments-heard-from-former-sgt-charged-of-domestic-violence

MASON, Mich. (WLNS) - A jury found Sgt. Jeff Smith with Eaton County to be not guilty of charges for domestic violence.

Sgt. Jeff Smith, a sergeant with the Eaton Rapids Police Department was accused of physically harming his ex-wife last summer. The two were married at the time, but court records in Jackson County show they divorced late last year.













Eaton Rapids Sgt. In Court For Domestic Violence
Posted: Apr 12, 2013 11:29 AM CDT
http://www.wlns.com/story/21955885/eaton-rapids-sgt-in-court-for-domestic-violence-charges

MASON, Mich. (WLNS) - A local cop and his ex-wife took to the witness stand today in a battle of "he said, she said" in 55th District Court.

Sgt. Jeff Smith, a sergeant with the Eaton Rapids Police Department is accused of physically harming Leslie Gill last summer. The two were married at the time, but court records in Jackson County show they divorced late last year.

Smith is charged with domestic violence. He testified in court today that the two got into an argument after attending a mutual friend's going away party back in July of 2012. While on the drive back to their Meridian Township home, Smith said the two started verbally fighting about a job Gill wanted to take.

Smith told the jury the heated conversation made him question his marriage. When the two arrived home, Smith said she wasn't welcome there. Smith then testified Gill became physical and "hit" him in the chest.

Smith said the two eventually made it inside the home and into one of the bedrooms where he pulled out a loaded gun.

"She was upset. I just continued to get verbally cut down," said Smith. "It's tough to talk about. I put the gun to my head & she said you're a coward again. I put the gun back down and said if you feel like I hurt you, why don't you pull the trigger?"

Smith says the gun never went off and he ended up removing the magazine and rounds.

When Gill took the witness stand today, she described Gill as "angry" and that she was "afraid" to report the alleged domestic violence incident to police.

"He pushed me. He told me you're not coming in. This is my house, you're not coming in," said Leslie Gill. "At that point, I said I am coming in. I live here & attempted to push past him to get into the house. He grabbed my right arm and started whipping me around."

Gill said she received bruises on her feet, her arm, and a scrape on her knee. She also told the jury Smith continued to say over and over that "If you report this, I'm in so much trouble. You can't leave."

She also mentioned the gun in her testimony saying Smith put it to his head and told her to pull the trigger. Gill told the jury that she didn't and convinced him to put the gun down. She then told the court she left the home and drove to her mother's house.

Smith's attorney told 6 News the domestic violence charge against him were brought to light, because one of his co-workers was trying to and advance her own career.

Smith is still employed with the Eaton Rapids Police Department, but is on paid administrative leave. He's an 11-year-veteran of the force.

If convicted of domestic violence, a misdemeanor, the prosecutor says Smith could face 93 days in jail.

The trial is expected to resume on Wednesday, April 17 at 9:00 a.m.

Police Sergeant Faces Domestic Violence Charges
Posted: Jan 15, 2013 3:03 PM CST
By Ann Emmerich -
http://www.wlns.com/story/20595118/police-sergeant-faces-domestic-violence-charges

Sergeant Jeff Smith from the Eaton Rapids Police Department is facing domestic violence charges.

City records show he's an 11 year veteran of the force and was promoted to sergeant last April.

Smith stood quiet at his arraignment Monday in Ingham County District Court. His charges stem from an incident last July against his then wife. Records out of Jackson County show they divorced late last year.

Smith serves on Eaton Rapids' Police Force, but lives in Meridian Township. Because the charge against him is a misdemeanor, he wasn't jailed and is out on a personal bond of $500. As part of that bond, the judge granted him permission to have a gun for work purposes only.

A sergeant with the Eaton Rapids Police Department said the chief is out of town for the next week and a half and no one there is authorized to speak about the charges against Smith. It's unknown if he is continuing to work or suspended.

He's due back in court in about two weeks.

Stay with 6 news as we continue to bring you the details of this story.