Brittany Smith is a 37-year-old woman from Stevenson, Alabama, who pleaded guilty to the murder of her rapist in 2020. In January 2018, Smith shot and killed Todd Smith – an acquaintance of hers who had brutally raped and assaulted her in her home. She then faced a murder charge and a possible life sentence, despite claiming self-defense and invoking the Stand Your Ground law. Her case sparked a national debate on the rights of women, the flaws of the justice system, and the impact of trauma and violence. In this blog post, we will tell you the true story of Brittany Smith, her ordeal, her trial, and her outcome.
The Night of the Horror
On January 15, 2018, Brittany Smith invited Todd Smith (no relation) to stay at her house, as he had told her he was homeless and needed a place to crash. She had met him a few days earlier, when he sold her a puppy. She had known him as a teenager, but they had lost touch over the years. She thought he was a friend, but he turned out to be a monster.
That night, Todd Smith raped and choked Brittany Smith in her bedroom, leaving her with 33 wounds on her body. He also threatened to kill her and her children, who were staying with their grandparents. He then forced her to drive him to a nearby store to get cigarettes, where she managed to write his name on a piece of paper and give it to the clerk, saying that if she was found dead, he was the one who did it.
She then called her brother, Chris McCallie, and asked him to come to her house. When he arrived, he confronted Todd Smith, who attacked him and put him in a headlock. Brittany Smith then grabbed a gun and shot Todd Smith twice, killing him. She said she did it to save her brother and herself, as Todd Smith had vowed to kill them both.
The Fight for Justice
Instead of being treated as a victim, Brittany Smith was arrested and charged with murder. She spent four months in jail and six months in a mental institution, where she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. She also attempted suicide several times.
She applied for the Stand Your Ground immunity, which is a law that allows people to use deadly force to defend themselves against threats or perceived threats, without the duty to retreat. However, in January 2020, a judge denied her request, saying that she did not have a reasonable belief that Todd Smith was about to use deadly physical force, assault, burglary, rape, or sodomy when she shot him. The judge also questioned her credibility, saying that she had changed her story several times and that there was no evidence of rape or choking.
Brittany Smith’s lawyers appealed the decision, arguing that the judge had ignored the medical and forensic evidence, the witness testimonies, and the expert opinions that supported Brittany Smith’s claims. They also pointed out the inconsistencies and contradictions in the prosecution’s case, such as the fact that Todd Smith had a history of violence and drug abuse, that he had high levels of methamphetamine in his system, and that he had texted Brittany Smith’s ex-husband before the shooting, saying that he was going to “f*** his wife”.
The Outcome and the Aftermath
In October 2020, Brittany Smith accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with all but 18 months suspended. She was also ordered to pay $11,000 in restitution to Todd Smith’s family. She said she took the deal because she did not want to risk a life sentence if she went to trial.
Brittany Smith’s case drew national attention and sparked outrage among many people, especially women and survivors of sexual violence. They saw her as a hero who defended herself and her brother from a violent predator, and who was failed by a system that did not believe her or protect her. They also saw her as a symbol of the struggles and injustices that women face in a society that often blames and shames them for their own abuse.
Brittany Smith’s story was featured in several media outlets, such as The New Yorker, Newsweek, and The Guardian. It was also the subject of a Netflix documentary, State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith, which was released in November 2021. The documentary, directed by Ryan White, who also made The Keepers, followed Brittany Smith’s legal battle and explored the issues of gender, race, class, and trauma that surrounded her case.
Brittany Smith is currently serving her sentence at the Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama. She is expected to be released in April 2022. She said she hopes to rebuild her life and help other women who have gone through similar experiences. She said, “I want to be a voice for women who don’t have one, who are scared to come forward, who are scared to say anything. I want them to know that they’re not alone, that they have support, that they have people who care about them and who will fight for them.”
Conclusion
Brittany Smith is a remarkable woman who has endured a lot of pain and suffering, but who has also shown a lot of courage and resilience. She is a survivor who fought for her life and freedom, and who inspired many people with her story. She is someone you should definitely follow and get to know better. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter, where she posts updates and insights about her life and work.
Brittany Smith Trivia
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Full name | Brittany Nicole Smith |
Date of birth | June 2, 1987 |
Age | 37 |
Ethnicity | White |
Nationality | American |
Zodiac sign | Gemini |
Height | Unknown |
Weight | Unknown |
Eye color | Blue |
Hair color | Blonde |
Relationship status | Single |
Children | Two sons |
Occupation | Unknown |
Net worth | Unknown |
Hobbies | Reading, writing, drawing, listening to music |
Favorite artists | Adele, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith |
Dog | A pitbull named Diesel |