We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Appeal of murder conviction likely after interview surfaces; only eye witness says she was on crack at the time

GavelST. LOUIS (AP) — A man convicted of a 1994 homicide in St. Louis is planning to appeal his case after finding video evidence of an interview with his trial’s only eyewitness.

Leron Hornaday, who was sentenced to life in prison in the death of 16-year-old Travis Smith, received evidence through his 2013 request to St. Louis police for materials from the investigation.

To convict Hornaday in 1997, the jury had to believe 30-year-old Crystal Thomas, who claimed she saw the incident.

In the video recorded three days after the homicide, Thomas tells police she was high on crack during the shooting. Thomas’ statements in the video were inconsistent with her trial testimony.

Hornaday’s attorney, John Washington, says there’s no way Hornaday should’ve been found guilty.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File