The judge had no decision to make as the law is clear that there is only one possible sentence for a conviction of murder. Smith’s family spoke at sentencing, one person saying they forgive Estelle for his crime. "I ask the family for forgiveness," Estelle said as he fought back tears. "I mean that from everything I got in me. I have been reading my Bible and in the Lord’s prayer, Jesus told his disciples as we ask for forgiveness for our trespass, forgive those who trespass against us. And he also told his disciples if you don’t forgive, then God will not forgive us. So I just pray that y’all really have forgiveness in your heart."
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The defense provided some testimony to the jury from eye witnesses including Estelle himself. Estelle says he did grab his step son, preventing him from leaving and the two fell. That's what led to a call to Donald Smith to come pick up his son. Estelle confirms he was punched and because he was scared he went inside, got the gun to scare Smith off with. Estelle admits to shooting Smith, but says all other testimonies were lies and tells a different story. His version contradicts the testimony given by the coroner and how Smith was shot.
The jury was shown body cam footage from officers on scene. In one video you can hear Estelle's wife say it was her husband that shot Smith. Then, Smith's girlfriend and her son took the witness stand. They both were in the car that Smith pulled up to 939 Brice Ave. in. They recounted the same story that Smith walked up, punched Estelle. After having an argument with Estelle's wife, his ex-girlfriend, Smith walked back to the car and began to call police while Estelle went inside his house, got a gun and came back outside. The two of them and the coroner confirm Smith was hit with two shots, one severing his spine and grazing his heart.
The defense says there’s a lot wrong with the state’s arguments. The defense believes Harmon was lying about the fight. They also say this was self-defense by Estelle. If Smith doesn’t come to confront Estelle at his own house, this doesn’t happen.
Six homicides occurred within Lima in 2019. That’s one more than the yearly average Lima has seen. The Lima Police Department has worked to solve half of them and continue to work on the remaining three.
The first murder came early on, Jan. 15. Branson Tucker was found in a car and later died of his injuries. He was shot at a residence on St. Johns Avenue during a late night card game. Kenneth Cobb and Jerome Fuqua are suspected of his murder. They have trials scheduled for January and February respectively.
The Lima Police Department has investigated four homicides in 2019. On average, the city has seen five a year for the last couple of years. In 2019 though, only one of the four remain unsolved. "The officers and the detectives of the Lima Police Department, they do an excellent job all the time," said Sgt. Jason Garlock, a detective for LPD. "They work hard, they do the very best they can to make sure all crimes are taken very seriously and given the utmost respect and hard look at."
A Lima man charged with murder will have his trial pushed back until January. 38-year-old Quintel Estelle signed a speedy time wavier to move his trial back, to give his attorney more time to prepare his case. Estelle is facing two counts of murder each with a 3-year gun specification. Estelle allegedly shot 63-year-old Donald Smith in the 900 block of West Brice Avenue on May 4, 2019. According to the Lima Police Department, Smith and Estelle got into a physical fight, then Estelle went back into his home and brought out a gun and allegedly fired two shots at Smith, one of the bullets hit Smith, killing him.
The Allen County Grand Jury has indicted a Lima man on murder for a shooting that happened at the beginning of May. The grand jury charged 38-year-old Quintel Estelle for two counts of murder, each with a 3-year gun specification. Estelle allegedly shot 63-year-old Donald Smith in the 900 block of Brice Avenue on May 4, 2019. According to the Lima Police Department, Smith and Estelle had a physical altercation, then Estelle went back into his home and brought out a gun and fired two shots at Smith. One of the bullets hit Smith, killing him.
Probable cause was found in the case against a man accused of murder this month. 38-year-old Quintel Estelle will now be transferred over to common pleas court after probable cause was determined in his hearing this morning. A Lima Police detective testified to the events that occurred on May 4 that ended in the death of 63-year-old Donald Smith.
The Lima man who was on the run wanted for murder was taken into custody and made an appearance in court Monday. 38-year-old Quintel Estelle turned himself in on Friday. Monday afternoon he made his initial appearance in Lima Municipal Court. Estelle is being charged with one count of murder for the death of 63-year-old Donald Smith. Estelle is also being held on a $750,000 bond.