Businessman On Trial For Murder

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Businessman On Trial For Murder

By Associated Press

Story Created: Nov 17, 2008 at 4:40 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 17, 2008 at 4:40 PM CST

The lawyer for a suburban Philadelphia businessman who frequently hosted gay sex parties in his home says his client didn't kill a young man who died there.

The lawyer for 43-year-old William Smithson of Glen Mills says another man supplied the drugs used at the house on the night of the crime.

Smilthson's lawyer says that man later lied to police about when he left Smithson's home.

Delaware County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Lawrie says Smithson killed 23-year-old Jason Shephard because  Smithson wanted to have sex with Shephard.

Shephard was from Cavalier, N.D., and had an internship with Smithson's company.

Smithson could get a death sentence if convicted.

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Tuesday, Nov 18 at 3:11 PM Lar wrote ...

Am I reading this wrong, or did this kid get killed at a gaysex/meth party in West Philadelphia?

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