The case of the Pee Dee man accused of murdering a police officer includes 20,000 pages of evidence

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (WMBF) – The case of a Marion County man accused of killing a Pee Dee paramedic and a New Mexico State Trooper will not go to trial anytime soon.

A federal judge on Monday granted a motion to classify Jaremy Smith's case as complex and suspend the Speedy Trial Act deadlines.

According to the Speedy Trial Act, criminal proceedings must begin within 70 days of the filing of charges.

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A trial against Smith was scheduled for September 9, but the judge ruled that due to the complexity of the case, it was not appropriate to hold the trial within the allotted time frame.

Smith is accused of shooting Florence County paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore, stealing her BMW and then driving across the country to New Mexico in March.

Two days later, authorities said he shot New Mexico State Trooper Justin Hare as he tried to help Smith with a flat tire before stealing Hare's patrol car.

Smith is charged in federal court with auto theft resulting in death and discharging a firearm during and in connection with a violent crime in connection with Hare's shooting death.

Smith has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. Federal prosecutors also filed a motion in early August to decline to seek the death penalty.

The documents show that the United States provided the defense with about 20,000 pages of evidence. The documents include police reports, pictures, videos, phone records and forensic reports.

“This investigation is extensive and complex, involving federal and state law enforcement agencies in New Mexico, South Carolina, and several states in between,” the documents say.

Court documents also state that the investigation is still ongoing and requires extensive forensic testing of evidence collected in South Carolina and New Mexico.

Smith also faces charges in New Mexico and Marion County.

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