3rd Richmond Cemetery Vandalism Suspect in Court

Third suspect in cemetery vandalism in court
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Brian Smith ~ The Richmond Register ~ 6/3/2010


RICHMOND — The third person charged in connection with the destruction of approximately 150 grave markers in the Richmond Cemetery also will face a grand jury.

Sara Elizabeth Smart, 20, of Waco, saw charges of violating graves and second-degree criminal trespass sent to a grand jury following a preliminary hearing in Madison District Court.

Smart is charged along with two other people, 25-year-old Joseph Dewayne Combs, of Altamont Street, and William Damien Gross, 19, of Keri Ann Drive, in connection with the April 3 incident.

Combs and Gross waived their rights to a preliminary hearing May 19.

Detective Matt Boyle of the Richmond Police Department testified Wednesday about how Smart became a suspect in his investigation.

Boyle said all three suspects admitted that after a night of drinking at the Cherry Pit, they went to the cemetery to continue drinking.

Gross and Combs both claimed that all three were involved in the destruction of the grave markers, some of which dated back to before the Civil War.

Boyle told Smart’s attorney, Jimmy Dale Williams, that in a May 12 interview at the Jackson County Detention Center, Smart had told a similar story but said Combs and Gross were responsible for the destruction.

Smart was lodged in Jackson County on unrelated charges when Richmond police located her, Chief Larry Brock said last month after her arrest.

Madison District Judge Brandy O. Brown found probable cause following the hearing to send the case on to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Smart remains free on a partially secured $10,000 bond.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. For breaking news, follow Brian at www.twitter.com/RR_BSmith.