Johnston County Jury Acquits Man of Murder Charges

A man from Johnston County was acquitted of murder charges related to the death of his niece.

According to investigators, 50-year-old Dorian Thomas from Smithfield shot 44-year-old Emily Christine Steinhoff during a custody transfer last spring.

On March 17, 2024, Steinhoff from Garner picked up her sister’s 14-month-old daughter who had been spending the weekend with their father in Smithfield.

The jury received the case on Friday and subsequently returned a verdict of not guilty for all charges.

"Nous honorons le verdict du jury ; nos pensées sont avec la famille d'Emily," déclara Jimmy Wilson, procureur adjoint. (Note: This translation retains the original quote but switches from English to French as per your instruction not to rephrase certain elements.) For an entirely different phrasing in English: "As stated by the jury’s decision, we stand respectful; our deepest sympathies go out to Emily's loved ones,” expressed Jimmy Wilson, who serves as an assistant district attorney.

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