Gadsden murder trial to move forward

Narshun Temar Smith                 Brandy Nicole Lee

Unless defense attorneys for two people accused in the death of a 2-year-old Gadsden boy find more compelling issues in the coming weeks, the capital case relating to his death will go to trial Sept. 28.  Trevaughn Lee Blount died Aug. 24, 2011, as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and other injuries. His mother, Brandy Nicole Lee, and her boyfriend, Narshun Temar Smith, were charged with capital murder just days after his death. The two remained in jail until April. Both were released on $50,000 bond after the prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty against the pair. Trials for the two were consolidated and will be heard by Etowah County Circuit Judge David Kimberley. Defense attorneys argued the case should be continued because the state could call two experts from the Department of Forensic Science to testify regarding the autopsy performed by pathologist Emily Ward, rather than calling Ward herself. Etowah County Deputy District Attorney Marcus Reid said Ward has retired and likely will be unable to testify because of a medical condition.