Flames in the Fog: The Murder of LaQuinta Smith - The Conclusion

Episode 134

In 1999, LaQuinta Smith was found dead inside her burning home in North Bend, Oregon. Investigators believed her estranged husband, Alby Smith, had murdered her and deliberately set the fire to cover his tracks. But did the evidence actually support that conclusion?

In Part 2, we're heading into the courtroom, where competing expert testimony, questionable investigative methods, and a mountain of circumstantial evidence paint a far more complicated picture than we initially expected.

We examine the mysterious disappearance of LaQuinta's rings, the sleeping medication found in her system, and the medical evidence surrounding her death. Then we take a deep dive into the fire investigation, exploring whether a malfunctioning oil furnace could explain the blaze—and why renowned fire investigator John DeHaan challenged the prosecution's conclusions.

Along the way, we question the science behind some of the expert testimony, examine a possible financial motive, and consider just how much weight circumstantial evidence should carry.

The jury reached its verdict. But after examining the evidence from both sides, we're left with some serious questions.

Would you have convicted Alby Smith?

Join us for the conclusion of Flames in the Fog, and tell us how you would have ruled.

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Inner Sanctum Acknowledgments:
Eternal gratitude to our Inner Sanctum patrons, Melanie Curtis, Beth Charis-Molling, and Brett Russ for helping us bring light to the stories others would rather leave in the ashes.

Listener discretion is advised.

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated 

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SOURCES:

1. “Burning Obsession.” Exhumed: Killer Revealed, Season 2, Episode 5. May 29, 2022. Viewed on Fandango at Home.
   https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Exhumed-Killer-Revealed-Burning-Obsession/2040880

2. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Smith Gets 32 Years.” The World, June 30, 2021.
   https://theworldlink.com/smith-gets-32-years/article_e638b6a8-fcc4-5f9b-8f0e-44920d677c84.html

3. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Counselor Testifies Wife Had a Temper.” The World, June 15, 2001.
   https://theworldlink.com/counselor-testifies-wife-had-a-temper/article_e337deb7-9c1d-5581-8555-40bba36bca27.html

4. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Murder Trial: Federal Agent Says Fire Scene Altered.” The World, June 13, 2001.
   https://theworldlink.com/murder-case-moving-more-quickly-than-expected/article_2b988284-1efb-56d7-b066-7078ae8a03a4.html

5. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Testimony Focuses on LaQuinta Smith’s Rings.” The World, June 14, 2021.
   https://theworldlink.com/testimony-focuses-on-laquinta-smiths-rings/article_7ed44866-f7eb-5dcd-931a-a6993d48f71c.html

6. “Court Rejects Smith Convictions Appeal.” The World, March 13, 2004.
   https://theworldlink.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/court-rejects-smith-convictions-appeal/article_17855d76-3cc9-5b51-9359-0aff5bdb5373.html

7. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Jury Finds Alby Smith Guilty.” The World, June 21, 2001.
   https://theworldlink.com/jury-finds-alby-smith-guilty/article_15a2ddde-baa4-5c6d-a8af-1c3eddde6721.html

8. Alby Ardell Smith, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Guy Hall, Respondent-Appellee. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Submitted January 10, 2012.
   [Link not provided]

9. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Family, Friends Grieve Victim as Trial Begins.” The World, June 7, 2001.
   https://theworldlink.com/family-friends-grieve-victim-as-trial-begins/article_0c96b13b-7449-55b3-b4b6-e80677f68167.html

10. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Murder Case Moving More Quickly Than Expected.” The World, June 12, 2001.
    https://theworldlink.com/murder-case-moving-more-quickly-than-expected/article_2b988284-1efb-56d7-b066-7078ae8a03a4.html

11. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Alby Smith: ‘No, I Did Not Kill My Wife.’” The World. June 16, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/alby-smith-no-i-did-not-kill-my-wife/article_98dff127-a7ff-5a47-962e-9ec303ef6525.html

12. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Autopsy: Victim Dead When House Burned.” The World. June 8, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/autopsy-victim-dead-when-house-burned/article_47301820-39e0-58a5-bb13-c6747637513f.html

13. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Judge Refuses Retrial Request.” The World. July 3, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/judge-refuses-retrial-request/article_88fcdd77-5ff6-5ddb-acf9-fde955e6ebe3.html

14. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Murder Trial: Smith Admits to Hiding Affair.” The World. June 19, 2001.https://theworldlink.com/murder-trial-smith-admits-to-hiding-affair/article_5658bc41-e5b1-59fe-93b2-20a567f4653c.html

15. Sirocchi, Andrew. “Smith Murder, Arson Case Handed Over to Jury.” The World. June 20, 2001. https://theworldlink.com/smith-murder-arson-case-handed-over-to-jury/article_82e6f4a3-c1a7-5e84-899f-127c1f2fa0b7.html