MURDER CHARGE Husband indicted in slaying of his wife

If convicted, the defendant could face 15 years to life in prison.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 42-year-old city man is expected to appear in court today to face a murder indictment.
Timothy Smith, who is being held in the Trumbull County Jail in lieu of a $1 million bond, was indicted Thursday by a Trumbull County grand jury.
If convicted of the murder charge, Smith could face 15 years to life in prison, court officials said.
He is accused of stabbing his wife, Lizette, multiple times during the early hours of Sept. 24 at the home they shared at 2528 Kenwood Drive S.W.
Moments after the slaying, Smith sped off in a car, eventually crashing into the Peerless-Winsmith Inc. building at 1401 W. Market St, police say.
Smith spent a few days in the intensive care unit of Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital. When he was released from the hospital, he was taken to the county jail.
Smith told police that he has been unemployed since April.
His wife was a secretary at the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, according to family members.
Other charges
Smith also faces misdemeanor charges of driving under suspension, reckless operation and failing to use a seat belt for what police say was his wild drive from his former home on the day of the killing.
Timothy and Lizette Smith were married two years ago by then-Mayor Hank Angelo. Police say a picture of the ceremony hung in the couple's home.
Lizette Smith's sister, Felicia Bullett, has said that the couple had been fighting.
Bullett said she went to her sister's house to get her 10-year-niece. Lizette had asked her to take the child because the couple was arguing.
Bullett said she put the 10-year-old girl into the van and then saw Smith come out of the house. She said he fled a few minutes later.
Bullett said she got out of her vehicle, went inside the house and discovered her sister's body.
She added that Lizette Smith, a mother of three, was a beautiful person whom everyone loved.
sinkovich@vindy.com