Trial Date Announced for Man Charged with Killing New Mexico Police Officer

Trial Date Set for Pee Dee Man Accused of Killing Police Officer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Big news is coming from Albuquerque as a significant trial date has been set for a man accused of taking the life of a police officer more than 1,500 miles away from his home!

Jaremy Smith, the man at the center of this heartbreaking case, is slated to go to trial on September 22, 2025. This date was established in a court filing dated November 4, and it marks an important step in what has been an arduous process for everyone involved. Along the way, there will be various motions and hearings set to unfold throughout the upcoming year to help prepare for the trial.

Complex Case Delays Trial Date

Originally, Smith was expected to head to trial last month. However, the case ran into some bumps along the way. Officials have cited the “intricate nature” of the situation as being a key reason for the delay, which has already happened three times. It’s clear this is no ordinary legal battle; it is tangled in layers of complexity that both sides will need to navigate in the lead-up to the trial.

A Grim Series of Events

Jaremy Smith faces serious federal charges that include carjacking resulting in death and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. These charges are directly linked to the tragic shooting death of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare while he was trying to assist Smith, who reportedly had a flat tire.

The situation only gets darker, as Smith is accused of also kidnapping and killing a Florence County paramedic, Phonesia Machado-Fore, in Marion County earlier. He allegedly stole her BMW and made the lengthy journey to New Mexico before the tragic events unfolded. Machado-Fore’s body was discovered in Dillon County, leaving a community in shock and mourning for the loss of a dedicated first responder.

More Allegations and Ongoing Investigations

Two days after the disturbing discovery of Machado-Fore’s body, Smith allegedly shot and killed Officer Hare, further compounding the sorrow that families and communities are grappling with. Adding to this tragic narrative, following the shooting, Smith reportedly stole Hare’s patrol car to escape.

In a turn of events, federal prosecutors announced that they would not pursue the death penalty against Smith, a decision that has certainly stirred conversations in the community. Since the case is multiplying in layers, attorneys have already sent out an astonishing 20,000 pages of discovery documents to Smith’s defense team. These documents contain everything from police reports and pictures to videos and forensic evidence, creating a vast and intricate web of information that will likely play a crucial role in the upcoming trial.

Future Challenges Ahead

The investigation continues, with law enforcement requiring extensive forensic testing of evidence gathered both in South Carolina and New Mexico. What’s particularly notable is that aside from the federal charges, Smith also faces additional charges in South Carolina related to the death of Machado-Fore. However, the timeline for when or if that case will be tried remains unclear, leaving everyone awaiting further developments.

As this compelling narrative continues to unfold, the communities affected by these heartbreaking events are bracing themselves for what lies ahead. Be sure to stay tuned for updates as this story evolves, especially in the lead-up to the much-anticipated trial in September 2025.