ORLANDO, Fla. — Prosecutors say Dale Smith Jr. purchased an airline ticket with a departure date two days after his arrest, according to a new court filing explaining why they want the arrest affidavit in the Michelle Parker murder case to remain sealed.
The motion, filed Monday night, says Orlando police learned about the ticket Oct. 13, one day before officers arrested Smith on a second-degree murder charge in Parker’s disappearance.
Prosecutors are asking a judge to keep the affidavit supporting Smith’s arrest sealed until Monday, Oct. 26, while detectives complete interviews with witnesses in two out-of-state locations. They argue that releasing the document before those interviews could affect witnesses’ accounts.
Smith has pleaded not guilty. His attorney has said he maintains his innocence.
Filing reveals travel plans and visit from Smith’s son
According to the motion, Smith’s son went to Orlando police headquarters Oct. 2 to ask about the investigation and whether his father remained a suspect.
Police subsequently learned Smith had purchased a ticket with an Oct. 16 departure and an Oct. 19 return. The filing lists the destination as “Columbia” without further identifying it.
Prosecutors noted that the return ticket could easily be canceled. The motion does not say Smith canceled the ticket or establish that the trip was an attempt to flee.
However, prosecutors said concerns about potential flight influenced how detectives approached the investigation. Police deliberately postponed certain witness interviews until Smith was in custody “so as not to incentivize the Defendant to flee prosecution,” the motion states.
Why prosecutors want the affidavit sealed
The state argues that witnesses should be interviewed before they can read previously undisclosed details in the arrest affidavit.
Investigators are scheduled to finish the interviews Sunday, Oct. 25. Completing them requires travel to two out-of-state destinations, according to the filing.
Prosecutors acknowledged the importance of public access to arrest warrant materials but argued that temporarily withholding the affidavit would protect the investigation.
The Oct. 26 date is the state’s requested end date for confidentiality. The motion itself does not establish that a judge has approved the request or guarantee the document will be released that day.
Defense has questioned the evidence
Smith’s attorney, Rajan Joshi, previously told Channel 9 that he reviewed the sealed 46-page affidavit but was not allowed to retain a copy.
Joshi acknowledged new material, including recovered text messages and a recent witness interview, but said he did not consider it a “smoking gun.” He cautioned that he had not received discovery or examined the complete investigative file.
He also said he intends to challenge Smith’s detention without bond.
Nearly 15 years of unanswered questions
Parker disappeared Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping off her twins at Smith’s home. Her remains have not been found.
When announcing Smith’s arrest Oct. 14, Orlando police said investigators had reexamined witness statements and digital evidence, with advances in technology helping uncover additional information.
Channel 9’s timeline traces the investigation from Parker’s disappearance to Smith’s arrest. Viewers can also watch “The Search: Michelle Parker,” our documentary examining the case.
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