Monday, September 19, 2022

The Murder of Denita Smith

Denita Smith (top), Shannon Crawley (bottom left), and Jermeir Stroud (bottom right)


Denita Smith was only 25 years-old when she was savagely murdered by her fiancé’s lover, Shannon Crawley, on January 4th, 2007. Prior to her murder, Denita appeared to be in a great place in life. She was a graduate student at North Carolina Central University in Durham; aspiring to be a photojournalist. Denita was also happily engaged to a man named Jermeir Stroud, who worked as a police officer in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Denita was completely unaware that Jermeir was also involved in a sexual relationship with Shannon. Jermeir and Shannon met after Shannon began working as a 911 operator in Greensboro County. Jermeir hid his affair from Denita, however Shannon was aware of Jermeir’s engagement to Denita.

Over time, Shannon grew jealous of Jermeir’s relationship with Denita. That jealousy was deepened when Shannon saw Jermeir and Denita together for the first time, holding hands as they walked into church. It is believed that at that moment, Shannon decided she wanted her romantic rival gone. 

Shannon decided to put her plan in motion on January 4th, 2007. During that afternoon, she brought a gun and hid outside of Denita’s apartment, waiting for her to leave. When Denita finally emerged, Shannon fired two shots into the back of Denita’s head before fleeing the scene. 

Denita’s body was later found by a maintenance employee. Police were called, who initially thought that Denita had suffered a fatal fall. However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that Denita had been brutally executed. 

The maintenance man who found Denita’s body told police that he saw a woman crying and running away from the apartment complex shortly after he heard gunfire. That woman was seen driving away in a Ford Explorer. Investigators also learned that Denita’s fiancé Jermeir was having “issues” with a woman named Shannon Crawley. 

Eventually, investigators learned about Jermeir and Shannon’s affair. After that, police were able to link that Ford Explorer to Shannon. Five days after Denita’s death, on January 9th, 2007, Shannon was arrested and charged with murder. 

Shannon pleaded not guilty and went to trial in 2010, during which the prosecution stated that Denita did not know Jermeir and Shannon were having an affair and she had absolutely no clue that she was in danger the day she was shot. Shannon’s defense tried to pin the murder on Jermeir, but the jury ultimately did not buy their story. 

Shannon was found guilty of first-degree murder on February 22nd, 2010. The judge immediately sentenced her to life in prison without parole. She remains behind bars today. 

66 comments:

  1. I think Stroud did it that nasty cop.

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    1. You THINK he did it? Evidence is not what you think!!! While he made the mistake of having an affair,thus, putting killer & victim on a collision course...he was thoroughly investigated and evidence did not support the actions and many lies of the killer...not just a jealous woman but a narcissist, thinking she is smarter than everyone, world revolves around her and evidence showed that!! 🙄

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    2. Two lives wasted because of him. He is going on with his life. C. Sowels.

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    3. Two lives wasted because of HER.

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    4. Jemier did it I absolutely agree with yavila12. Look deeper and despite him not having a reason in the public’s eye, doesnt make Shannon the guilty party. Her tears and pleas are real.
      Interesting how he refused the dateline interview too.

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    5. She did it you feminists!!!!

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    6. Dumb broad led by a dick. And she has two children,yet she thought she was smarter than everyone else..'.they'll never figure it out'. She thought just like you dummies think,that someone will yell male chauvinism or harassment,she was a victim of a cheating liar,even though he owed her no loyalty ,made no promises

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    7. He's married and has a family. He lives in Georgia as a police officer.

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    8. Man fuck all y'all. It's that man's fault. She would be alive if it wasn't for him.

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    9. No one put the gun in that woman's hand, she did that. There are plenty of people that have affairs but don't kill their rivals. There was a witness that saw her leaving the scene. He didn't put her up to it. Durham.police are very thorough and investigated the fiancee and found nothing. She was jealous and wanted Denita out of the way.

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  2. Shannon was nuts. Killed that girl over some dick. And at the same time, removed herself from her children's lives over a man. Shannon is narcissistic and a psychopath. RIP Denita.

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    1. You are so right. This nut is been lying her entire life

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    2. he parents trying to spin another story - please she was weak over a man that was someone else's. he used you dummy,,,tell you family stop lying for you, you are where you should be - locked up for life

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    3. Hey shannon! What happened to girls support girls/ women support women? hmmm wonder what happened to that... petty...

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  3. Facts.Took Denita's life over some peen. Her fiance is just as low.He's as much responsible as Shannon.Sleep peacefully Denita❤����

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    1. Shannon killed that Denita because she wanted her man and her parents are saying she didn’t do it because they know their daughter but clearly they don’t know her because she killed her, just like Carla killed Avis because she wanted her man and both Shannon and Carla are where they both belong and that’s in jail for life…. Rip to Avis and Denita🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️

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  4. I think she killed her and her father tried to jelp her cover her ass. You spent 4 months in jail b4 you confessed, staged phone calls from a pay phone, staged a rape no evidence how did you know where the knife was if you were raped and traumatized????. You never took your kids to the Dr.

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    1. because she was literally threatened for her life and her families lives! And she watched this HORRIFYING man, who doesn’t have guts to appear for dateline interview, kill this woman. Her tears are real. I work in psychology.

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    2. You're so in the dark. They did a follow up Dateline Unforgettable and the fiance did speak. Yeah, he had an affair, but she did it. You say they were real tears, how do you know. Some can cry for no reason. She was at the scene of the crime and the fiance had an alibi that was checked. Yes sometimes police cover up, but not in Durham. The father lied for her but she didn't get away with it. You can blame the guy all you want, but no one forced her to pick up a gun and shoot her in the back of the head twice. She was on camera waiting for Denita to come out then shot her twice.

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  5. Just watched this episode on Dateline. I think they should get Shannon to take a lie detector test. She already has life in prison so if she's really innocent she has no reason to say no. I personally think they were both in on it some how. Shannon staged a lot of attempts at framing J but it seems like that was almost a plea for help because she knew he would get away with it. But also I cant get over how composed and "scripted" she seems in interviews.
    I think there is a lot we don't know in this story and both are guilty, CAN WE GET A POLYGRAPH TEST?

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    1. Na, 100% all her. She is a clear sociopath

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    2. Are there really still people who don't know that "Lie Detector" tests do NOT detect lies? There's a reason they have no legal standing in a any court of law.

      A polygraph test would be absolutely pointless

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    3. What would be his motive to kill her? They had no financial ties. He gave her a ring. He had no motive to kill her - or to frame Shannon for it. She lied about having a gun. She was the only person who would ostensibly have something to gain from doing away with Denita (Jermier). He was a womanizer for sure, but not a murderer. He had nothing to gain by it.

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  6. How do you love someone this much? I loved my husbands down to my soul but I never felt like if it didn't work I'd kill or die for or over them when the world is full of other men. This was senseless.

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  7. Why is the fact that she was 5 months pregnant at the time of her homicide omitted from the story? It is an intricate part of the crime and makes her murder all the more horrific.

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    1. Good point. Also explains why she was engaged to Jermeir.

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    2. WOW, why would they leave that part out I wonder.

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    3. Yeah, I could have sworn Denita was pregnant at the time of her murder.

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    4. Wrong person that was avis banks in Mississippi

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    6. Probably left out because it also gave Stroud more reason to kill too. Sorry I completely believe in Shannon’s innocence and absolutely believe this cop who can’t show his face on Dateline is the villain. Poor Denita and Poor Shannon

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    7. Unfortunately that makes you as gullible and dense as her family members. Crawley is absolutely where she belongs. Jermier was/is a scumbag pos, but he didn't murder anyone.

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  8. His name is JL Stroud on facebook

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  9. Shannon Crawley was set-up! The police would not left it up to her to self-record the audio-tapes. If law enforcement would have wire-taped the conversations with her ex then there would be no question about who was on the other end of the line. This single fact casts doubt in my mind about her guilt or innocents. I cannot imagine a law enforcement agency doing this shoddy of a job in good faith. Her case needs to be reviewed.

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    1. shut up she was NOT set up - she wanted a man who didn't want her. why didn't she just kill him? he didnt want her just used her for sex/ whoever saying she was set up is just blinded by LIES, please keep this weak minded woman Locked up for her term of LIFE and throw away the key

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    2. I think she was something just don’t sit well with me with him...your pregnant fiancé is laying dead and you barely shed a tear...NEVER even told the police you had an idea of who might would have done this to her or nothing until they asked you bout her...I think he just didn’t want to be tied down to Denita and didn’t need her to find out bout Shannon cause she would leave his ass and he would end up on child support🤔 Say what you want but something is not right with this man period and it’s definitely more to the story

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    3. absolutely! She was set up. And GOOD POINT about police not leaving it up to her to fake that?! In addition, Jemeir is a cop and we know the blue code protection that cops get!!! And lastly, her tears are genuine. I feel so sad for her. She was threatened for her life and for good reason believed he could follow through with things!!!

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    4. Also interesting how Stroud wouldn’t appear on Dateline interview. Guilty conscience! Shannon meanwhile had more REAL tears than I have ever seen in any interview. She continued to stick with her story consistently once she came forward a second time and even Dateline pointed out her demeanor was sincere and authentic

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    5. Shannon did it. The cops didn't tape the calls bc they had already cleared Jermier. Denita wasn't pregnant, that was a different story. Jermier did talk to Dateline eventually, I don't blame him at all for waiting some time to do that. Everyone said he was devastated, even the cops. Get your facts straight, people!

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  11. The Bible tells us if we mentally kill someone, then we are guilty of murder! I believe everyone is capable of killing a person — everyone has that one reason that justifies it!

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  12. Something just don’t sit well with me he claimed Shannon seen Denita pictures at his house when she helped him moved but how she know where Denita lives...unless she followed him or he told her which he never mentioned her following him every where he went and if she was then he knew the minute he got the call bout Denita who killed her and never even mentioned it to the police who at the time was unaware of his affair...he waited til they asked him about a woman in a red truck before he even mentioned anything..,when he came to the apt he didn’t even really give the emotions you would think being his pregnant fiancé is laying dead 🤔 anybody who loves someone that much would have lost their mind or something he just had this blank stare on his face saying it would be ok😳 when Shannon called him to try and get him to confess he was disrespectful as hell Cause he knew what she was trying to do and he was too smart to fall for it...we are talking about a police officer he not stupid...Shannon loved him and would do anything and he knew that and I just don’t believe she did this by herself that man didn’t want to be tied down to Denita and he didn’t want to stop dealing with Shannon cause she would do whatever he say..I wouldn’t be surprised if he fucked with her about that abortion she had knowing he wanted her to keep the baby by telling her Denita pregnant... I don’t trust his ass it’s definitely more to the story and they should give her a lie detector test to see if she pass and his ass as well..

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    1. You are delusional. WTH trial did you watch? If you believed anything that that sociopath Crawley said you need serious psychological help. Have several seat stupid!

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    2. You need to watch Dateline Unforgettable, there was plenty of evidence against Shannon. She was jealous as ND did not want Stroud with anyone else. Yes, Stroud was a POS for having an affair, but that doesn't mean he's a murderer. If you ever get to read case law about it, they had plenty of evidence. Also, a lie detector is to see if you are being deceptive during an interview, nothing else. If you pass they don't do anything. CJ Stroud had an alibi and was seen on camera where he was supposed to be. Just because he didn't break down means nothing. Everyone handles greif differently. My mom died and I didn't cry until I was by myself and it took months.

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  13. I saw this case on Netflix. a series called Murderous affairs.

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  14. @casey jo jukes i agree!

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  15. @Casey i firmly thinks shannon was set up! Cops always know how to get around the law and that's what i believe Jamir did! Jamir will pay in another way. However, as u mentioned if law enforcement really wanted to know if that was jamir they could've wired him which is why the case should be re-opened.

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  16. This is completely unrelated but I live at that same apartment complex that she was murdered at and I find it so creepy that I am staying somewhere that a woman was killed at not too long ago. Like idk the case happened years ago but students at that school sometimes still talk about it like it happened yesterday.

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  18. My question is, whatever happened to the gun that Shannon bought from her coworker? It was the same caliber as the murder weapon. If she produced it to the police, it would have been tested and ruled in/out as the murder weapon. This would be a significant piece of evidence. If the police never found it, what did Shannon do with it and why did she get rid of it?

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    1. That is exactly my question. What did she do with the gun that she said she bought?

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  19. I can tell you who killed Denita based upon the time of day it took place. If she was shot when it was dark outside, more likely it was the cop. If it was in daylight, the other woman did it. The cop had much to lose and he was thinking with his head. The woman was thinking with her emotions so she would have killed when the anger became too much. Anger doesn't care if it's dark outside or not. It explodes when it explodes.

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    1. This is literally one of the dumbest things I've ever read.

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  20. I just can't believe Shannon did something so stupid to take her from her children(Her whole life)..That should have been her 1st thought..Talking about he said he would kill your children..I don't believe that. He's a police officer and didn't want to go to prison.. Everything you said was found not true. While you in prison i hope you get some professional help and pray, you truly need it..Your priorities are not in order..When you helped him move and saw the picture of Denita, you should have ran like a track star from him. You just messed your
    and her children life up..I feel so sorry for your parents to..You should at least tell them the truth one day..

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  21. This was a weird one. I found a number of recountings that seem to have different stories. Here's my take on it, mostly based on murdepedia.com and Dateline:

    https://hotkillerbabes.blogspot.com/2023/05/94-shannon-crawley.html

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  22. I cannot believe how stupid some of these readers are! There is no argument that this lunatic let her whorish impulse overrule her reason,foresaking her children for dreams of some dick

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    1. Some of these readers are so stupid I am surprised they can read,actually believing Shannon did not murder Denita ! And I mean literally stupid,like almost moronic!

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  24. I find it so childish and absurd that some of you people need to resort to name calling when you see that someone doesn’t agree with your narrow minded opinions. I mean seriously, grow up! If you value your opinion, great, that’s your right, but you don’t need to call other people names because what they feel doesn’t match what your feelings. It’s actually pretty pathetic. Get over yourself. Anyone who doesn’t agree with your opinion is not stupid , they aren’t gullible and they aren’t anything else you tried to throw at them. Obviously, seeing that to you, It’s not ok for someone else to have their own ideas and opinions on things in this world, maybe you should get off the internet. Or do you get off forcing your opinion down peoples throats and enjoy talking down to others so that you feel better about yourself?

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  25. Does anyne think he was messng with his current wife when all this was going down? They said he married her less than a year after Denita's murder.

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