Judge Lowers Bail for Little Falls Man Accused of Killing 2 Cousins

 

A judge has lowered the bail for a Little Falls man accused of killing two teenage cousins.

A judge Monday reduced conditional bail for 64-year-old Byron David Smith to $500,000 bond or $50,000 cash. It originally was set at $1 million bond or $100,000 cash.

Conditions include:

• Do not leave Minnesota without written or court approval
• Keep court/attorney informed of current address
• No contact with victim or family
• Remain law-abiding
• Make all future court appearances
• Make and maintain contact with attorney
• Sign waiver of extradition
• No use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons

Unconditional bail, set at $2 million bond or $200,000 cash bail, was not changed.

Smith told police he shot and killed 18-year-old Haile Kifer and 17-year-old Nick Brady after they broke into his home on Thanksgiving.

He's charged with two counts of second-degree murder.
    
Sheriff Michel Wetzel has said homeowners have a right to protect themselves, but that Smith used excessive force. Prosecutors say Smith executed the teens even after they'd been incapacitated by earlier shots.
    
Wetzel says property found in the vehicle that Kifer and Brady drove to Smith's home contained items from at least one other Morrison County burglary.

Smith was still in custody as of 10:30 p.m. Monday.
 

The Associated Press Contributed to this Report.
 

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