DISTRICT ATTORNEY MEDIA RELEASE
Aug 17, 2023
BUNCOMBE COUNTY August 16, 2023
828–259–3410
BuncombeDA.org
ASHEVILLE — Ronald Lonnie Haynes Sr. was found guilty this morning of the first-degree murder of Belva Smeltzer after week-long trial by a Buncombe County panel of jurors. As a result, he was sentenced by Superior Court Judge David H. Strickland to serve a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
“The State thanks all jurors for their service and for holding Ronald Haynes to account for the violent, cruel, malicious, and premeditated murder of Belva Smeltzer, I wish the family of Ms. Smeltzer peace and healing,” D.A. Todd Williams said.
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