Woman sentenced as accessory to teen's slaying

BARSTOW • A Barstow woman was sentenced to three years probation Monday as an accessory to the 2010 murder of a 16-year-old girl.

Charnisha Smith, 23, was sentenced at Barstow Superior Court after she pleaded guilty to accessory charges. Her sister, 16-year-old Rasheedah Smith, was convicted of Oct. 19 for the stabbing murder of Chawnteera Harrod, 16.

Rasheedah Smith was 15 when she stabbed Harrod at a party at 520 E. Fredricks St. on May 21, 2010, according to previous reports. Harrod later died at Barstow Community Hospital. Rasheedah Smith was tried as an adult for murder for Harrod’s death.

Deputy District Attorney Connie Lasky said she didn’t want to send Charnisha Smith to prison and felt the punishment fit the crime.

 “I just wanted her to take responsibility for her actions in helping her sister conceal her crime,” Lasky said. “I want people to know this is not acceptable behavior. When someone, even your little sister, does a serious crime, you can’t help her cover it up.”

After the sentencing, Charnisha’s father, Charles Smith, said both his daughters were innocent.

“This is not fair to the (victim’s) family and it’s not fair to the Smith family, because the real killer is still on the loose,” Charles Smith said.

Charles Smith said his daughters’ defense attorney told them the case would be re-evaluated. Deputy Public Defender Troy Padgett, who is overseeing the case, was not available for comment.

Lasky said motions for a retrial are the first step for appeals and is standard for murder trials. She said she didn’t feel there was any reason for a retrial but the court could disagree with her.

Rasheedah Smith was scheduled to be sentenced Monday as well, but the date was rescheduled to Feb. 24.

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(760) 256-4123 or klucia@desertdispatch.com