TYLER, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video was published on March 16, 2022.
The trial for a Tyler man accused of killing two dentists in March 2022 when he became angry over his dentures will be held later this month.
Steven Alexander Smith, 41, is charged with capital murder of multiple persons in connection with the March 16, 2022, shooting deaths of Dr. Blake G. Sinclair, 59, and Dr. Jack E. Burroughs, 75, both of Tyler, at Affordable Dentures & Implants in Tyler.
On Thursday, the state and defense held a pre-trial hearing to discuss matters ahead of the planned Jan. 22 trial date. The state informed 241st District Court Judge Debby Gunter about a competency evaluation that found Smith competent to stand trial. A report regarding insanity has not been completed yet.
Jury selection will be Jan. 22 in the 241st District Court. Prosecutors believe their presentation of evidence should take about a week, and the defense expects the trial to take a week as well.
The Smith County District Attorney's Office filed a motion saying they will not seek the death penalty last November. With the death penalty off the table, Smith faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.
Arrest documents state that after being upset over the procedure for his dentures, Smith fought with Burroughs and Sinclair and then fatally shot both of them.
When Burroughs told Smith he would no longer be a patient because of the problems he was causing, Smith became upset, tried to take his dentures and pushed Burroughs to the ground, the affidavit stated.
Smith left the building and returned, walking quickly toward the door. Burroughs tried to lock the front door, but Smith forced the door open, documents show.
Sinclair grabbed Smith from behind like a bear hug, and Smith and Sinclair started to fight. The nurse saw Smith pull a handgun out and shoot about five times at Burroughs and Sinclair, the document read. Sinclair and Burroughs were later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
After the doctors were shot, the nurse told police Smith pointed his gun at her. He told her to unlock the door, but she refused. Smith then left in his vehicle, the affidavit stated. The nurse told investigators that Smith had been a difficult patient.
The sheriff's office said after the shooting, Smith fled the area heading west on Highway 31 toward the city limits of Tyler. Later, a deputy found Smith pulling into the driveway of his home in the south part of Tyler.
He retreated into the home. After several minutes, Smith's parents came out of the home and he then came out of the residence, the sheriff's office said.