The case of a home invasion that tragically ended the lives of Walter Mitchell and Susie Ephrem has reached a conclusion. Alexander Smith, whose actions caused irreversible harm, was sentenced to two natural life sentences plus an additional 21 years, Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced. The victims, a couple, were fatally shot in their Peoria home in November 2023 during a dispute over an expensive car, the Ford Shelby GT500.
The chain of events leading to the tragic incident began when the deal for the aforementioned car fell through. Smith, whose date of birth is listed as August 3, masked his greed, with violent intentions. Following a botched wire transfer the day before the homicide, Smith's supposed agreement with Walter turned into an executioner's plot. The couple's home became a crime scene where Walter died at the scene, and Susie succumbed to her injuries after managing to call 9-1-1. They left behind an eight-year-old grandson, who was present but unharmed during the invasion.
Peoria Police linked Smith to the crime through a series of messages between him and Walter, as well as through GPS data and fingerprints. The details emerged as their investigation uncovered a narrative of deception where Smith posed as the car’s owner trading it with a third party, simultaneously attempting to purchase the same car from Walter. His changing stories did not align with the evidence collected and his continued lies to the police when he later tried to collect the car were blatant.
In a statement, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said, "This was an act driven by greed; even after taking two lives this defendant continued to lie to police to try to get the car." The combined efforts of the Peoria Police and prosecutors from Maricopa County Attorney's Office ensured that Smith's tangled web of deceit was untied, securing a conviction that mandates him to face the repercussions of his actions within the confines of a prison cell.
Smith accepted responsibility for his actions, pleading guilty to two counts of First-Degree Murder, a Class One Dangerous Felony; and one count of Burglary in the First Degree, a Class Two Dangerous Felony.
