CHARLOTTE — Adonis Smith’s defense attorney told the jury his client’s life is in their hands after prosecutors argued why they believe he should go to prison for killing 27-year-old mother of two, Kendal Crank.
Defense attorney Justin Olsinski gave his final argument after Smith stepped off the witness stand in his own trial.
“This was a tragedy. No one is denying that,” Olsinski said.
The defense attorney admitted his client shot and killed Crank, shooting out of a black SUV in 2019.
However, he tried to convince the jury that Smith did not intentionally kill her.
Olsinski argued that men in a parking lot fired at the black SUV occupied by Smith.
Smith said he panicked and returned fire.
Olsinski also poked holes in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s investigation calling it incomplete, showing examples of officers allegedly pushing bystanders into the crime scene and rushing through the case.
“CMPD didn’t really care about getting this case right,” Olsinski said. “All they cared about was getting it done.”
However, prosecutor Arneatha James refuted that claim.
“When the police arrive on the scene, they have limited information, and they don’t have a crystal ball,” James said.
MORE TRIAL COVERAGE:
- Detective takes stand in trial over Kendal Crank’s 2019 death
- Kendal Crank case: Witness describes deadly shootout
- Surveillance video shows moments before and after Kendal Crank’s fatal shooting
- Murder suspect claims self-defense in young mother’s death
- Mother killed in crossfire: Trial starts for first of three suspects
She argued that Smith was the aggressor that day and that self-defense shouldn’t even be considered.
James reminded jurors about the life taken asked the jury to find Smith guilty of murder.
PAST COVERAGE:
- Mother killed in crossfire: Trial starts for first of three suspects
- Mecklenburg County DA says finding justice in homicide cases is top priority in 2020
- Judge denies bond for man accused in shootout that killed Charlotte mother
- Death penalty not sought against man accused of killing Charlotte mother
- Loved ones say final goodbyes to Charlotte mother killed in crossfire
- Case of mom killed in gunfight crossfire goes to NCDOJ; Vigil planned
- 911 calls released after mother shot, killed driving to nursing school
Smith’s attorney reminded the jury that under self-defense law, even if a bystander is killed, the shooter is not criminally responsible.
He told jurors that they don’t have to like or agree with the law, but they must follow it.
The jury is expected to start deliberating on Monday.
WEB EXTRA VIDEO: Police interrogate deadly shooting suspect
©2025 Cox Media Group
