On May 11, 1995, in the city of Oceanside, Ernesto Flores was shot and killed after running unprovoked and with his hands in his waistband towards Jermaine Smothers and four others.

Four days later Jermaine Smothers was arrested and charged with murder. Two witnesses testified they saw Jermaine shoot Flores. One was over 555 feet away, supposedly making this observation through rush hour traffic. Her version of the shooting betrays her when she told police, the shooter shot the victim three times in the back of the head. The victim was shot twice in each frontal thigh and once in the back of the neck. The other witness who was with the victim testified that Flores did run at the group. She also admitted the first witness told her it was "Jermaine" before police arrived. Despite being told this, she told police that the shooter had a 3 to 4 inch Afro and couldn't say if it was Jermaine. Mr. Smothers hair was bald the day of the shooting.

The Defense called two witnesses who testified that the victim did chase the group and was shot by a tall individual with a full head of hair. Mr. Smothers was 5'6". Another witness testified that the victim did have a weapon.

I did not do this. I have taken and passed a polygraph regarding this case. New evidence does exist in this case. I do not have the resources to hire a lawyer and investigator to help me prove my innocence. I'm in desperate need of Pro Bono help!! And the help of anybody concerned with helping an innocent man find justice.

Write to me at:

Jermaine Lee Smothers
#K11293 / 4A-1B-205
California Correctional Inst
PO Box 1902
Tehachapi, CA 93581

Send Email

View
Additional Exhibits
in this Case

View
Personal Ad

Justice Denied
Main Section