Law and Justice

Sacramento Jury convict’s man of murder who shot girlfriend twice in the head

D.A. Gougherty

Jun 27, 2023 — 1 min read

Facing 53 years to life sentence

In a Sacramento Superior Court jury trial that concluded on Monday, June 26, Fard Smithson was convicted of first-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm. Smithson was also convicted of intentionally and personally discharged a firearm causing death.

Smithson lived with the victim, Keela Cole, and had unreported instances of domestic violence. On July 19, 2021, three friends of Smithson were at their residence when someone made a joke about the food the victim prepared for everyone.

Smithson went to the kitchen and threw his plate of food in the sink. He returned and shot the victim twice in the back of the head.

Smithson and the three other individuals immediately fled the scene, and only one returned to call 911. Smithson changed his clothes and returned to the scene hours later claiming he didn’t know what had happened.

Smithson faces a maximum sentence of 53 years to life in prison. Sentencing is on August 11, 2023.

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