Leroy Smith's Murder Trial Gets Underway

Monday, January 8th 2007, 10:19 am

By: News On 6

The double-murder trial of a Tulsa man is now underway. Leroy Smith is accused of walking into a Tulsa hardware store, shooting two employees to death and attacking a third who escaped.

News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin says jury selection is now underway. The accused killer was on the run for nearly a month after the murders.

Tulsa Police say witnesses identified him as the man who walked into 'This and That Hardware' in April of 2005 and shot, execution style, owner Zach Jones and employee Eddie Phoenix.

A woman working in the front of the store says Smith tried to drag her to the back after she heard the gunshots. That worker got away and ran screaming into the street. Smith escaped.

Court records say Smith told an acquaintance both men were dead, hours before the public knew that information. Records also show Smith told his own wife he was involved. Tulsa Police arrested Smith after a tip led them to track him to a Tulsa motel. Smith did not go quietly, but no one was injured.

Testimony should get started this week. Prosecutors expect the entire trial to take 2-3 weeks.

The Tulsa County DAâ€™s office is seeking the death penalty.