Michael Smith, previously convicted of killing a woman and dumping her body in a well, appeared in Kanawha County Court Monday for a trial on unrelated robbery charges. The state sought harsher penalties under a recidivist law, which could make him eligible for a life sentence if convicted of a qualifying felony.
The trial focused on a string of robberies from 1998 to 2004. Prosecutors presented fingerprints and photographs tying Smith to the crimes, while the defense argued the timeline was unclear. A motion to dismiss was denied. In the end, the jury found Smith responsible for the robberies. His sentencing is scheduled for February 10 at 10 a.m.