Suspect in Childress Shooting: “What’s the big deal?”

A judge Friday in federal court handed down the maximum punishment possible on a federal weapons charge, sentencing Michael Juan Smith to 10 years in federal prison. Smith pleaded guilty in February to being a felon in possession of a weapon. Investigators say that gun was used in the shooting of Martha Childress in downtown Columbia’s Five Points. The University of South Carolina student, who was not the intended target that night in October, was waiting on a taxi when she was hit, subsequently being paralyzed from the waist down. Video can be seen of Childress in a wheelchair throwing out the first pitch at a Gamecocks baseball game. “She’s doing well and plans to go back to school in the fall here at USC,” said Jim Carpenter, Martha’s uncle. Smith’s family avoided news cameras but did speak on his behalf in court, saying he grew up in a christian home and they were shocked at the allegations. However, some of the most damning testimony in court included Smith’s own words via recorded jail conversations, in which he indicated that “the press was making a big deal about this because she’s white” and that “it’s not like i killed the b***h.” “These phone calls were Mr. Smith’s words in days after the shooting showed his attitude towards this whole event.” Prosecutors say today’s verdict sends a strong message that convicted felons who choose to carry weapons will face consequences. Michael Juan Smith also faces state charges including aggravated assault. He remains behind bars.