Drug addict’s taped testimony fingers defendant in killing

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 | 8:52 a.m.

In a court case riddled with tales of crack use and sex-for-drugs, the prosecution's star witness, an admitted heroin addict, told a Clark County jury Tuesday about his sighting of a soon-to-be murder victim -- and her alleged killer.

The witness, David Smith, actually gave his testimony in the form of a videotaped deposition because authorities haven't been able to find the man, who is thought to be living on the streets and actively using heroin.

In his deposition, Smith said he was waiting for a ride to a methadone clinic at about 6 a.m. on April 28, 2003, when he saw 25-year-old Shod Walker walk past with a blonde woman -- 39-year-old Simone Hirst, a tourist from Utah and a former model. About 20 to 30 minutes later, Smith said, he saw Walker walk past him again, this time in different clothes and without Hirst.

Smith said Walker approached him then, and said, " 'You haven't seen me with no chick or anything,' then he tells me she's dead and that's that."

Hirst was later found dead in a nearby apartment complex parking lot at 11th Street and Stewart Avenue, her head bludgeoned with a 44-pound rock, according to police.

While Smith testified that the woman had "looked like she was out of place," later testimony by a cab driver and others would imply that Hirst was in the neighborhood on a quest to find crack to buy or to exchange for sex.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas contends Walker used a rock from the parking lot and crushed Hirst's skull. He said Walker then changed clothes and checked into a motel for seven days to avoid the police.

In opening arguments, defense attorney Gregory Denue said the prosecution "bases it's whole case on a heroin addict."

Denue said Walker admitted to having sex with Hirst and even provided to police his fingerprints. He also gave them his clothes so they could be tested for Hirst's blood samples.

A jury will continue to hear testimony in the case on Friday.