Crime & Safety

Homeless Murder Trial Underway at Story County Courthouse


Sign up for Ames Patch's free newsletter | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

The second murder trial of a homeless drifter accused of killing another man at a homeless camp in south Ames in 2008 is underway today at the Story County Courthouse in Nevada.

Glenn A. Smith, 50, is accused of stabbing Danny McGonigle to death during a fight in May of 2008. Smith and McGonigle got into a fist fight and wrestling match near a wooded area south of the Department of Transportation after spending the day drinking May 19, 2008.

Smith walked away from the fight with a scrape to his knee and cuts on his hand. McGonigle died on the way to the hospital. He had 32 stab wounds to his face, neck and chest area.

Smith was originally found guilty of second-degree murder in April of 2009. However the verdict was set aside in December of 2009 after Smith's attorneys asked for a new trial saying that the verdict was contrary to the evidence.

Smith admitted to stabbing McGonigle, but has said it was an act of self defense.

The new trial has been delayed until this week because Smith had been diagnosed with a mental disorder while in jail.

* This story originally ran Thursday, May 30, 2013.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.