It was more than seven years from the time Ernest Smith, 38, died outside his New Orleans home in the spring of 2006 until his widow was arrested and charged in his death, but she had been on police radar early on.
"Please be advised that the beneficiary, Emma Smith, wife of the deceased, cannot be ruled out as a suspect in the death of Ernest Smith," a New Orleans detective wrote to an insurance investigation company in a July 12, 2006, letter.
No arrests have been reported in James Raine's death. Emma Raine has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Ernest Smith. Jury selection began Tuesday and opening statements could begin Wednesday in New Orleans. Conviction would mean a mandatory life sentence for the 52-year-old
Court documents and testimony in an earlier trial make clear that James Raine also was under suspicion in Ernest Smith's death. His adoptive brother, Alfred T. Everette, was charged with being the trigger man in Smith's death. He was convicted of second-degree murder late last year after prosecutors