Gavin Smith Police image - P 2012
After five years, the trial of the man accused of murdering Fox movie executive Gavin Smith was delayed one more day, as the jury was not seated in time, reports CBS2, citing officials.
John Lenzie Creech’s trial for killing Smith will begin with opening statements on Thursday morning. A jury of 12 with five alternates was selected Wednesday.
Smith, who worked for Fox’s movie distribution department for 18 years, disappeared in May 2012. His skeletal remains were found in a shallow grave in a desert area near Palmdale in November 2014.
Creech, a convicted drug dealer, was charged with first-degree murder in January 2015. Smith was allegedly having an affair with Creech’s wife. Creech admits to having a fight with Smith but only in self-defense, and he claims he panicked after the movie exec hit his head.
If Creech is convicted of Smith’s murder, he faces 25 years to life in state prison.
