Trial begins for Missouri man accused in death of Indiana State Trooper

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The trial is underway for a Missouri man accused of killing Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith during a 2023 high-speed chase.

20-year-old Eddie Jones is charged with murder, resisting law enforcement, and auto theft. Prosecutors are seeking life without parole if he’s convicted.

Investigators said Jones was driving a stolen SUV when he led troopers on a chase through Hendricks County. The pursuit ended when the vehicle swerved toward Smith as he deployed stop sticks, fatally striking him.

Jurors watched dashcam and highway footage of the crash. A teen passenger testified that Jones said, “I got this,” moments before hitting the trooper.

The defense claims Jones didn’t intend to hit Smith and swerved to avoid the stop sticks, according to FOX59.

The trial is expected to last about a week.

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