Virginia lawyer invokes ‘Will Smith defense’ at murder trial

A Virginia protection attorney tried out a “Will Smith defense” at his client’s murder demo on Tuesday — but the jury did not acquire it.

Attorney Dirk Padgett instructed jurors throughout closing arguments that William Reno Ray, who was on demo on two counts of first-diploma murder, just “snapped” — just like the actor did when he smacked Chris Rock.

“Things you wouldn’t ordinarily do you do — like Will Smith,” Padgett informed jurors, The Roanoke Occasions described.

“I guess he wishes he could choose again,” he explained of Smith. “But he just can’t. You simply cannot unbreak a adhere.

Smith “snapped” all through the Oscars on Sunday and smacked the comic after having difficulty with his crack about the actor’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia and shaved her head final year owing to the problem.

Rock quipped that Pinkett Smith could star in a sequel to the 1997 film “G.I. Jane,” which starred a bald-headed Demi Moore.

In court Tuesday, Padgett managed his 25-yr-old shopper similarly missing his amazing when he stabbed Eric Area, 44, additional than 20 times and killed him, then drowned 42-12 months-outdated April Barnicoat in her have bathtub.

The attorney even sprinkled in some Teddy Roosevelt for the jurors, reciting the previous president and Rough Rider’s description of getting in the warmth of battle.

“When the wolf rises in the coronary heart, it is toughest to relaxed down,” he explained.

The defense method did not get the job done — the jury convicted Ray on both counts in two hrs, The Roanoke Periods documented.

He is thanks to be sentenced at a date but to be identified.