Creek County Man Found Not Guilty Of Murder Says He's Still Traumatized By The Event

A jury deliberated only 20 minutes before finding a Creek County man not guilty of murder.

The jury decided it was matter of self-defense.

Ray Smith says he's relieved with the verdict and was only protecting his family.

Ray Smith was on trial for first-degree murder in the death of Tyris Boyd.

"It's been a long road, sitting there thinking, 12 people, my live is in 12 people's hands, it was a little scary," Smith said.

Smith's Attorney said Boyd was threatening Smith's family with a gun on Labor Day of 2020, and Smith shot Boyd.

After a week of trial, the jury found Smith not guilty.

"I think we have a right to stand our ground, to protect our families, you don't know what you'll do in a situation like that, nobody does, I never want to be put in that situation again," he said.

Smith says he spent 9 and a half months in jail and was released in June.

He says it was horrible to be away from his family, and also was shocked the case even went to trial.

"For it to go all the way to where it did, to trial, to have 12 people tell me that I'm not guilty, or that I'm a murdered, I was scared for my life," he said.

He says he's sorry for everything that happened, but he only was protecting his family.

He says he's still having a hard time, and at times he doesn't sleep, and doesn't like being at home.

"I never wanted to take a man's life, I'm just still shaken up about it, and I have nightmares," he said.

He says he's now going to focus on spending time with his family and restarting his lawncare business.