Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Amy Forliti, Associated Press
St. Paul, Minn.

Judge denies mistrial in fatal shooting of 2 Little Falls teens

Byron Smith
Byron Smith takes his first break during the first day of his trial at the Morrison County Courthouse, Monday, April 21, 2014, in Little Fall, Minn. The 65-year-old faces two counts of premeditated first-degree murder for the killings of Haile Kifer, 18, and Nick Brady, 17, who broke into his home on Thanksgiving Day 2012.
Elizabeth Flores / The Star Tribune via AP

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A Minnesota judge has denied another request for a mistrial in the case of a homeowner who killed two teens who entered his home.

Attorneys for 65-year-old Byron Smith asked for a mistrial Wednesday after about an hour of cross-examining a forensic scientist from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Smith is on trial for first-degree premeditated murder in the deaths of 18-year-old Haile Kifer and 17-year-old Nick Brady.

Defense attorney Adam Johnson said the defense had not seen the scientist's notes on forensic evidence, including how far away Smith was from Kifer when he fired.

Prosecutors said Smith's attorneys had plenty of time to examine BCA evidence.

Morrison County Judge Douglas Anderson denied the request, but took a break to give defense attorneys time to go over the scientist's notes.