Murder trial of Bend man accused of fatally assaulting his mother delayed until July

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The murder trial of a Bend man accused of fatally assaulting his mother just over a year ago has been delayed for three months, until July, at his attorney’s request.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alycia Herriott on Wednesday set a July 22 trial date for Joshua Lawrence Smith, 41, on a second-degree murder charge in the March 20, 2024 killing of Janice Marie Smith, 59, at the Legacy Landing Apartments in northeast Bend.

A scheduled April 22 jury trial was canceled after defense attorney Raun Atkinson filed a motion saying they needed more time to prepare for trial and review recently provided evidence in the case.

That includes nearly a year’s worth of jail correspondence by Smith, who appeared by video at Wednesday’s hearing and remains held without bail. Atkinson also noted his own health issues and co-counsel’s recent family leave.

District Attorney Steve Gunnels told KTVZ News last year that Smith’s mother died of blunt force trauma after a “violent physical interaction” between the mother and son.  Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge last August.

Herriott also set a one-day hearing on pre-trial motions for May 23 and a trial readiness hearing for July 15.