On January 23, 2008, BloodVitals test Rhonda Smith was discovered face down in an workplace at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield Township, Pennsylvania. Watch Philly Homicide On Saturdays on Oxygen and BloodVitals test Peacock. Smith, 42, had been shot twice. Judy Zellner, a detailed buddy of the sufferer, stumbled upon the horrifying scene when she arrived at 12:30 p.m. Zellner’s frantic 911 call will be heard in the "Sinner and Saint" episode of Philly Homicide, airing Saturdays at 9/8c p.m. "She’s useless," Zellner informed the dispatcher. "There’s blood all over her head and around her head." But when paramedics arrived, they'd discovered that Smith was still clinging to life, and BloodVitals monitor she was rushed to the hospital. Who was Rhonda Smith? Investigators discovered that Smith had been a member of the church for BloodVitals test 2 years. The pastor and congregation had embraced her, BloodVitals test and she’d not too long ago taken a component-time job there. "She could not handle a full-time job at the church," stated Zellner.
Smith's mental well being impacted her career. "Rhonda had a passion for educating. She had a ardour for youngsters," Deanna Durante, a reporter for Philadelphia-primarily based WCAU, BloodVitals test said on Philly Homicide. Smith pursued teaching in school. "But bipolar received to her proper at the last semester, and she by no means graduated," stated Zellner. Smith yearned for independence and moved into her own condominium. Money was tight. She shared with church pastor BloodVitals health Greg Shreaves that she was having hassle paying her bills. The pastor rallied members of the congregation to help. "Some of us gave her money and a few present cards, and they put it in a Christmas card," said Zellner. "Three days before Rhonda Smith was discovered, she stood in front of her congregation and thanked them for all of the assistance they'd given her," mentioned Durante. Pennsylvania State Troopers processed the scene. They collected bullet fragments that might assist decide the sort of gun the shooter used.
"The police additionally took possession of the workplace laptop for an knowledgeable to do a forensic evaluation," mentioned David W. Zellis, who was then a primary Assistant District Attorney within the Bucks County DA's Office. As troopers interviewed church members, BloodVitals health the topic of suicide got here up. The truth that Smith was shot twice didn’t robotically rule that out. But there was no gun at the scene, BloodVitals device which led to more questions. "Detectives asked me, did I kick a gun, did I see a gun, did I cover a gun? Several hours after the capturing, Smith’s parents made the tough choice to end life assist. "We circled around her, BloodVitals test holding arms," Zellner informed Philly Homicide. What have been the outcomes of Rhonda Smith's autopsy? Smith had been shot twice. "One was a glancing wound to her head, and BloodVitals review the opposite one had penetrated her skull," said Richard Webb, Jr., who was then a lieutenant with the Pennsylvania State Police. The forensic pathologist observed gunpowder stippling on Smith’s forehead and on her hand.
The proof indicated that she raised her hand in a defensive position. The proof ruled out suicide and Smith's loss of life was categorized as a homicide. From the bullet fragments, investigators determined that the homicide weapon was a .38 caliber gun. Investigators developed a principle of the crime. "The first gunshot would have stunned or knocked down Rhonda," stated Webb. Once they analyzed the church computer, detectives saw that Smith logged on at 9:40 a.m. 10:Fifty eight a.m. She was found at 12:30 p.m. Troopers decided the homicide to have occurred at round 11 a.m. Investigators centered on Smith’s shut circle, including Pastor Shreaves. He’d been out of city at a conference for 3 days. Being away "ruled out the likelihood that he might have been involved," stated Webb, adding that Shreaves knew his parishioners higher than anyone. A one-time individual of curiosity was a man who showed up at the church on a couple occasions. "He mentioned to one in every of our parishioners, ‘This could be a superb place to rob,’ so we had been just a little skeptical," stated Zellner.