District Attorney Daniella M. Shorter, announced the conviction of Christopher Smith in the murder of Nakisa Benson. Smith was sentenced by Judge Tomika H. Irving to a life sentence to be served in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
On August 20, 2013, the body of Nakisa Benson was found in an isolated wooded area near Monticello Road in rural Copiah County, Mississippi. Ms. Benson was on her way home from work when she was ambushed and shot multiple times with a high powered rifle by Smith. Smith had a history of physical abuse and domestic violence in a past relationship with the victim.
Evidence recovered at the scene and testimony provided by witnesses established Smith as the perpetrator. After three (3) days of trial, a jury found the Smith guilty of first degree murder notwithstanding Smith’s claim of insanity. The guilty verdict marked eight years to the day that Smith murdered Benson.
District Attorney Shorter said this sentence is warranted by the facts and is part of her pledge to deal with crimes of a violent nature.
