Smith is charged with shooting and killing a 27-year-old Charlotte mother who was hit by a stray bullet in 2019.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said Smith was released after posting bond. A Mecklenburg County spokesperson clarified the conditions of his bond.
Adonis Smith, one of three men charged in connection with the shooting death of 27-year-old Kendal Crank in 2019, remains in jail despite posting bond this week, Mecklenburg County officials confirmed.
Crank, 27, was struck by a stray bullet while driving to nursing school in March 2019, police said. It happened during an alleged shootout involving Smith and several others. Tychicus Dobie and Marquis Smith were also charged in connection with Crank’s death.
Smith’s $10,000 bond was posted on Thursday.
In March, a judge declared a mistrial in Smith’s case because a jury could not reach a verdict. The jury had considered multiple charges against Smith: discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle in operation, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or if it was all self defense.
The jury returned two notes to the judge with questions and asked for clarity on filling out the verdict sheet. The jury also asked the judge what happens if they’re unable to reach a unanimous decision.
“He’s trapped, he’s a sitting duck,” defense attorney Justin Olsinski said. “His friend had just been shot, he is hollering in pain in the backseat. How would anyone react in that situation? He had a choice that had to be made in an instant and he chose to fight.”
The prosecution argued that Smith was the aggressor and his actions directly led to Crank’s death. They also questioned Smith’s demeanor after learning he killed someone.
“He didn’t break down and cry, you didn’t see him collapse on the table emotionally, you didn’t see any of that,” Arneatha James, special deputy attorney general, said.
After the mistrial was declared, Crank’s cousin Ari Simpson spoke to the news media about the trial, saying the last two weeks have weighed heavy on the family and they were disappointed with what unfolded Tuesday.
“What is this saying? We have got to figure out how innocent lives can be protected, and we feel like Kendal’s wasn’t,” Simpson said. “She was a mother, she was a daughter, sister, a cousin, and she was literally just minding her business. A mistrial means a jury couldn’t come to a decision. It’s cut and dry that she was a victim here and someone should have to pay for that.”
Simpson said she told Crank’s best friend Porschia Jordan – who was with Crank during the shootout and testified during the trial – that she felt “short of breath” after the mistrial declaration. Still, she said Crank’s family isn’t done.
“We keep fighting. We heard the judge, we know what the outcome is of this trial, but we don’t stop,” she said. “We want justice for Kendal.”
Simpson noted that there are still two suspects awaiting trial and said the family wanted “everyone to be held accountable” for Crank’s death.
After the mistrial was declared, Crank’s cousin Ari Simpson spoke to the news media about the trial, saying the last two weeks have weighed heavy on the family and they were disappointed with what unfolded Tuesday.
“What is this saying? We have got to figure out how innocent lives can be protected, and we feel like Kendal’s wasn’t,” Simpson said. “She was a mother, she was a daughter, sister, a cousin, and she was literally just minding her business. A mistrial means a jury couldn’t come to a decision. It’s cut and dry that she was a victim here and someone should have to pay for that.”
Simpson said she told Crank’s best friend Porschia Jordan – who was with Crank during the shootout and testified during the trial – that she felt “short of breath” after the mistrial declaration. Still, she said Crank’s family isn’t done.
“We keep fighting. We heard the judge, we know what the outcome is of this trial, but we don’t stop,” she said. “We want justice for Kendal.”
Simpson noted that there are still two suspects awaiting trial and said the family wanted “everyone to be held accountable” for Crank’s death.
WCNC Charlotte wants to hear about your loved one
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you’re ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to [email protected].
For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
