Prosecutors Respond to Appeal in Byron Smith Double Shooting

LITTLE FALLS (AP) - Prosecutors say it was the defendant's own words which led to his conviction for killing two teenage intruders in Little Falls.

In a brief filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court, prosecutors urge the justices to uphold Byron Smith's conviction of first-degree premeditated murder for fatally shooting 18-year-old Haile Kifer and 17-year-old Nick Brady on Thanksgiving Day of 2012.

The 66-year-old retired U.S. State Department employee is serving a life sentence. Smith wants the Supreme Court to overturn his conviction or grant him a new trial.

Smith argues he was prohibited from giving a full defense, among other issues. Smith made an audio recording as the teens broke into his house and were shot during which he said he was doing his "civic duty" by shooting them.