Former Kitty Hawk officer could face death penalty in slaying

HERTFORD COUNTY

A former Kitty Hawk police officer could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder related to the October kidnapping and death of Donald Bradley Smithwick.

Raymond Christian Jedele, 38, of Kill Devil Hills faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. A Nov. 27 order filed with the Hertford County Superior Clerk of Court indicates it would be tried as a capital murder case.

Janet Denise Harrell, 33, of Chowan County faces charges of being an accessory after the fact to first-degree kidnapping, first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Harrell is Smithwick's ex-wife.

Smithwick, 33, was reported missing Oct. 4 at about 6 a.m. by his wife, Sindi, who called police when she saw a man dressed in black accosting him in their yard, then drive away with Smithwick in his Dodge pickup. The truck was found abandoned near Smithwick's home at about 9 a.m., Ahoskie police Chief Troy Fitzhugh said.

Smithwick's body was found in Chowan County on Oct. 9.

Jedele was held being held at Central Prison in Raleigh; Harrell, in the Hertford County Jail.

Jedele worked as a Kitty Hawk police officer from April 2006 to Oct. 9. He was initially placed on disciplinary suspension but was later fired, said Chief David Ward.