UA murder suspect’s bond dropped, released on own recognizance

The man charged with the stabbing death of a restaurant employee in Upper Arlington was released from custody on his own recognizance last night.

Jeffrey Lamar Smith’s attorney, Joseph Landusky II is saying his client is a victim of mistaken identity and a video will reveal he was in a different part of town during the time of the incident.

The murder of Charles McCoy, 31, happened outside China Dynasty restaurant in the Shops on Lane in Upper Arlington on Monday.

Allegedly, McCoy had talked with Smith’s girlfriend earlier that day.

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Both McCoy and Smith’s girlfriend worked at China Dynasty.

Reportedly, Smith later got into an argument with McCoy at the restaurant about the conversation he had with his girlfriend.

After police discovered McCoy’s body, they got a warrant for Smith arrest. Smith turned himself into police Tuesday.

This Week News reports Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien asked that Smith be released on recognizance bond Wednesday rather than the original $1.5 million bond.

Attorney Landusky sees the recognizance bond as an indication that O’Brien realized something was amiss in his client’s arrest, furthering his argument that Smith is innocent.