Murders of Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady

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Murders of Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady

The murders of Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady occurred on November 22, 2012, in Little Falls, Minnesota. The incident involved the fatal shooting of two teenagers, Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady, by Byron David Smith, a 64-year-old resident of Little Falls.

Background

Byron David Smith, a retired security engineer for the United States Department of State, lived alone in his home in Little Falls. Smith had experienced multiple break-ins at his residence prior to the incident, which led him to install a security system and carry a firearm for protection.

Incident

On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012, Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady broke into Smith's home. Smith, who was in his basement at the time, heard the sound of breaking glass and armed himself with a rifle. When Brady descended the basement stairs, Smith shot him multiple times, ultimately killing him. Shortly after, Kifer followed Brady into the basement, and Smith shot her as well.

Smith did not immediately report the shootings to the Morrison County authorities. Instead, he waited until the following day to contact a neighbor, who then called the police.

Legal Proceedings

Byron Smith was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. During the trial, Smith claimed that he acted in self-defense, citing Minnesota's Castle Doctrine law, which allows individuals to use deadly force to protect their home from intruders.

However, the prosecution argued that Smith's actions went beyond self-defense. Evidence presented in court included audio recordings made by Smith during the incident, which captured him taunting the victims after shooting them. The jury found Smith guilty of premeditated murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Aftermath

The case sparked a debate over the interpretation of self-defense laws and the extent to which homeowners can protect their property. It also raised questions about the use of deadly force and the responsibilities of gun owners.

See Also

• Castle Doctrine
• Self-defense
• Gun laws in Minnesota
• List of homicides in Minnesota