Quadruple Murder Suspect in Alabama May Have Killed After Dispute Over Dirty Dishes, Investigators Say

A quadruple murder in Alabama may have occurred because of an argument over doing the dishes, according to authorities.

On Feb. 22, police arrived at a home in Daphne after receiving almost a dozen 911 calls regarding gunfire at the home, WKRG reported.

Once in the residence, police found Leonard Smith, 80, bludgeoned to death with a pick-ax at the foot of his bed in the master bedroom. In the backyard, Barbara Smith, 72, Sheila Glover, 70, and Jeremy Smith, 27, were all shot and bludgeoned to death. Investigators found 12 shell casings and a Glock 9-mm handgun in the backyard.

Within minutes of arriving, officers located Jared Smith Bracy, 21, hiding in the woods behind the home, WKRG reported.

At the preliminary hearing on May 15, investigator Jason Vannoy said Smith Bracy first claimed he was a victim, but he then later allegedly confessed claiming, “I had to get them before they got me,” according to WKRG.

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While defense attorney Thomas Pilcher believes Smith Bracy suffers from a mental disease or defect that led to the murders, Chief Assistant District Attorney Teresa Heinz says he isn't convinced. “I have nothing in my case file that suggests that he has any kind of mental disease or defect and until I do, he is absolutely responsible for his criminal conduct,” Heinz said, according to WKRG.

Smith Bracy has been charged with the capital murder of his grandparents, brother and a family friend, authorities said. A request by the defense for a mental evaluation was delayed by the judge and the case now moves on to a Baldwin County Grand Jury.