Insects could be key in death probe

Kim Smith

Wednesday, June 27, 2001 | 9:45 a.m.

A forensic entomologist could end up being one of the state's key witnesses in the trial of a Las Vegas woman charged with killing her mother and storing her remains for three years.

Prosecutors Frank Coumou and Scott Mitchell told District Judge Donald Mosley Tuesday that they have a witness who will refute Brookey West's claim that her mother, Christine Smith, was already dead when she sealed her up in a 55-gallon trash can.

The prosecutors said a forensic entomologist from Indiana will testify that the flies found on Smith's remains were "coffin flies" -- so named because they have the ability to dig their way through the ground and into coffins, usually months after the victim dies.

Had Smith died outside the trash can, there is a high likelihood blow flies would have laid their eggs in her remains, but none were found, Coumou said.

West, 46, is scheduled to go to trial next week on an open murder charge in the death of her 64-year-old mother.

Authorities believe West killed her mother in February 1998, sealed her body in the container and placed it in storage, where it was discovered earlier this year. The remains were found with a plastic trash bag tied tightly around Smith's nose, mouth and chin.

Because Smith's remains were liquefied, doctors have been unable to determine what caused her death, leaving prosecutors in a difficult position.

Coumou and Mitchell will not only have to prove that Smith died as a result of foul play, but also that West was responsible for her death.

West has told reporters that her mother died of natural causes, but prosecutors believe it is more likely her mother suffocated.

West's public defender, Scott Coffee, argued against the inclusion of the entomologist's testimony Tuesday, saying the state hasn't provided him with the doctor's report -- something that must be done at least 21 days before a trial.

The prosecutors said they don't have the doctor's report yet, but noted that Coffee has known since the start of the case that the flies could provide vital clues.

District Judge Donald Mosley said he will allow the testimony but ordered the prosecutors to turn over the report as soon as they have it.

Coffee also filed a motion Tuesday asking Mosley to stop the prosecutors from presenting certain evidence.

Coffee doesn't want jurors to learn that books on the occult, witchcraft and Satanism were found in the storage unit.

"While newspapers and television reports have implied that West was either a witch, a Satanist, an occultist or all of the aforementioned, West does not intend to dignify said claims with a response," Coffee wrote in his motion.

Coumou maintains West's real motivation was her mother's Social Security checks.

Police testified during West's preliminary hearing that someone regularly used Smith's bank account between February 1998 and Feb. 5 of this year, when the remains were found.

Smith's name was the only name on the account, and all of the ATM withdrawals took place at convenience store machines that aren't equipped with cameras, police said.

The public defender also doesn't want jurors to see any photographs of Smith's remains.

"Jurors might seek to punish West for allowing her mother to rot inside a storage unit rather than having her buried, as is the more common practice," Coffee wrote.