Local Radar

---

---

Family members come to defense of Smith over sexual assault charge

web posted July 11, 2007
COUNTY – The report of the arrest of Nikki Ray Smith, 26, of Trenton on a criminal sexual assault charge has drawn the ire of his family members and the concern of parents of students at the martial arts and dance business on Edgefield Road that Mr. Smith and his wife operate. Jessylyn Smith contacted EdgefieldDaily.com on Tuesday morning to claim the charges are false and was requesting the picture of her husband be removed from the publication, “It’s one thing to put the report on (EdgefieldDaily.com) it’s another thing to put my husband’s picture on there.”

She also claimed that linking to their business web site was illegal as well.

Mrs. Smith stated the report makes her husband out to be guilty. When it was explained that the report states Mr. Smith has been charged, not convicted Mrs. Smith said it was the same thing “around here”. “Edgefield County is the most backwards, hick-town I have ever, ever, lived in in my life,” Mrs. Smith said.

Mrs. Smith also said that placing the picture of her husband on the story is a violation of his “Constitutional rights”. EdgefieldDaily.com explained that serious cases are always followed by attending the court date and if Mr. Smith is found innocent the finding will be covered in print. “They (the public) will never see it that way,” Mrs. Smith said, “They will never see him as innocent even if he is exonerated simply because of stupid people in the press and the freaking news rooms doing BS like this.”

Mrs. Smith also claimed that the charges against her husband are “made up” and it was an attempt by Sheriff Dobey to run her husband out of business.

Mr. Smith’s mother “Marie” called into popular talk-show host Austin Rhodes Radio Show (WGAC 580 AM weekdays 3 to 6pm) on Tuesday afternoon and said that her son, Nikki Smith, was innocent and that the police should look at the girls making the complaints, “He’s not guilty” she said.

A short time later a woman claiming to be Mr. Smith’s sister, named Renee, also called the show and stated that the report on EdgefieldDaily.com was wrong. She claimed that the older girl made the claims because Mr. Smith refused her advances. When Mr. Rhodes said he was looking at a picture of her brother and he did not look like a “ladies man” she stated her husband, who also was not a 'ladies man" has teenage girls going after him too. (Audio curtsey of Austin Rhodes and WGAC 580 AM) She also claimed that not wearing underwear under the tights was normal.

Mrs. Smith told EdgefieldDaily.com, “They (the girls) don’t wear underwear under (the leotards) simply because that causes people to look there (the private area).”

A woman whose daughter takes dance at another studio said her daughter did not wear underwear one time, “you could see right through,” she said adding that it never happened again. She did not want to be named.

A question never answered was who would see the girls while they attended class and why was underwear a problem in a private setting.

Other parents told WRDW News 12 they have pulled their children from classes at the school over the past few months after things that transpired including Mr. Smith standing over young boys with a sword pointed at them. Another parent said she pulled her children from the school when they became “uncomfortable” with things at the class. “They didn’t give a reason why, they just said they were uncomfortable,” she said.

The Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on Tuesday saying that the case is still under investigation and that more charges could be filed in the case. Sheriff Dobey said of businesses that have a clientele made up of children, “The parents or citizens should do an extensive background check on the employees or business owners of that business for the purpose of child safety and public safety.” Sheriff Dobey added, “It is a great concern of mine.  I encourage all citizens that have a complaint or concern about a business in Edgefield County that deals with children, do not hesitate to contact the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office.  You can remain anonymous.”

An offer by EdgefieldDaily.com to sit down with Mr. Smith to tell his side of the story was refused.

 

EdgefieldDaily.com is a member of the
Edgefield County
Chamber of Commerce
New Link Below
Information and Activities

---

-----
Parting Shots
A new book by Columnist Carl Langley

---

JAM Straight Customs

---

Featured Dining

La Cantina

---

---

'08 Debate
Get involved

---

NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section
WEBNEWS –  Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts!  Send in your submissions here.