Police arrest teen in double slaying
Xavier Pinckney and Jacqueline Munoz.
Published: December 22, 2008
Updated: December 22, 2008
Prince William County police have charged a 17-year-old in the double slayings of a Dale City woman and her teenage son.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Ebert said Monday that Jean C. Smith, 39, and her son James Smith, 19, were killed during an attempted burglary at their home on Langford Court on Friday afternoon.
The 17-year-old, who lives in the neighborhood, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, burglary and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Neighbors and sources identified the teen as Xavier Pinckney.
His girlfriend, 22-year-old Jacqueline Munoz, has been charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly providing him an alibi, police said.
Ebert said he is seeking to have the murder charges upgraded to capital murder. But he is unable to seek the death penalty due to a Supreme Court ruling banning capital punishment for juveniles.
Police provided a chilling account of what happened in the Smith home on Friday afternoon.
James Smith, home from James Madison University for the holidays, was believed to have been home alone, sleeping on the couch, when the burglar entered the house Friday.
He was shot and killed.
His mother returned home from Hylton High School, where she volunteers with the Hylton choir, and found her son’s body, county police Maj. Ray Colgan said. she’d been at the school taking pictures as choir members sang Christmas carols in the halls.
“She was discovered by the suspect and he shot and killed her,” Colgan said.
Connor Smith, 16, returned home from school Friday about 3 p.m. and found his brother’s body.
Detectives worked 24 hours a day to solve the case, police 1st Sgt. Kim Chinn said. And it was neighbors who led them to the suspect. Officers knocked on doors Sunday afternoon seeking information. By midnight, police had arrested Pinckney.
Colgan said the teenager charged knew the family and had visited their home as a child, though he had not been there in a few years.
Ebert would not say if the teen has a criminal record, but did say he “was known to law enforcement.”
Pinckney will be certified to stand trial as an adult during a court hearing on Jan. 12.
Colgan said police believe he chose the house to burglarize because it looked vacant. There were no cars parked out front.
“This is an extremely tragic case. The victims were civic-minded people,” Colgan said.
Prince William County Supervisor Marty Nohe, a spokesman for the Smith family, said news of an arrest will help the family in their grieving process.
“Knowing that an arrest has been made is a big relief for the family,” he said, adding they are deeply appreciative of the work of the police department.
Police on Monday were searching near the crime scene for further evidence. A command post was set up at the Prince William County Ice Center on Dale Boulevard.
Reader Reactions
It’s really a two part problem:
Lindendale residents had an opportunity last year to form a Neighborhood Watch. We circulated the registration forms over the entire neighborhood. Nearly everyone thought it was a good idea, but there was not enough people who would be willing to actually participate by agreeing to patrol, or be a block leader, or just watch out the windows and report suspicious activity. In other words, “Sure, go ahead, just as long as I don’t have to do anything.“
A Neighborhood Watch might not have prevented this crime, but it would have given the community the opportunity to at least TRY to prevent crime. A Neighborhood Watch would help neighbors to communicate.
People stay in their homes, don’t want to be bothered, don’t have time to spend with each other. Those excuses all fall under the heading of apathy for me. Residents have the opportunity to receive community news by logging into the Lindendale Community home page, and can share information with the rest of the neighborhood. My e mail list has 55 residents out of the nearly 700 homes in Lindendale. Out of those 55, perhaps a dozen are actively interacting with the community.
The second part of the problem is the proliferation of laws that are not enforced: We have laws against speeding, laws against littering, laws against noise pollution like barking dogs and loud car stereos. There are laws regarding jaywalking and spitting, and urinating in public.There are laws about drinking, stealing and arson.The problem with that? Those laws can not be enforced. Yes, some might “get caught”, but how many people commit those infractions and “get away with it?“
When laws are not enforced, even the so-called lesser offenses, it leads to disrespect for the law, the police and the government. People commit bigger crimes, because they have some feeling of entitlement and little fear of being apprehended. Even if they are caught, just how “bad” will the punishment be?
Recently, I called police to report a stolen bike I found in a wooded area. The officer told me next time, I should just take the bike to the landfill. PWCPD would never have the time and resources to try to discover who stole the bike, and no way to tell who the owner was. I understand what the officer said and why, but what does that say to the person who stole the bike? That it is all right to steal? What does it say to the bike owner? And what does it say to me? Should I just not bother to report a crime because there will be no enforcement?
I stated in a letter to the editor that I think the PWC police department did an outstanding job on this case, and I stand by that statement.
I agree with you on one point, vagirl…Mr. Pickney should not have been free to roam the streets if he is a known criminal.
Our judicial system is seriously broken. rehabilitation is wonderful for hospital patients…I don’t think it is the answer to hardened criminals.
I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to get on a soapbox. I have seen first hand, the outpouring of love and support for the Smith family this week. I know people can unite and show their best qualities in the face of disaster. Our task should be to continue to support the Smiths and attempting to prevent other crime as well.
Rudy Guiliani proved in New York that the violent crime rate can be lowered by vigilant enforcement of all laws. Our challenge is not only how to accomplish that in an economic downturn, but how to punish the offenders.
You are right. It could have and does happen all over the place-what I am saying is that he shouldn’t have been on the streets, but in JAIL!! No community is immune to violence.
I’ve been following these comments since the origination of the story, and I live in Lindendale.
Lindendale is still a quiet neighborhood. This terrible event could have just as easily occurred in Mapledale, or Forestdale or Montclair or New York. It has nothing to do with the location and everything to do with the lack of respect for human life.
I don’t blame anyone…I blame everyone. We are all responsible. Families don’t spend time together, everyone has their own pursuits. Greed, violence, sex and hate permeate the movies, television and music.
The real tragedy here is the Smith family is the antithesis of that description. The awful sadness is that here is one family, the Smiths, who are all engaged in family life, in being what neighbors are supposed to be.
If anyone wants to honor the memories of Jean and Jim Smith, you should stop this name calling and finger pointing. Take responsibility for your lives and share responsibility for the lives of others.
Get out and volunteer in your community. Do something to help improve your life and the lives of those around you. Turn off the television and talk to your children, your neighbors and community members. See what you can do to make a difference.
If the things that Mazey has said about this kid are true-then I think PWC Police owe the Smith family a HUGE apology for not getting this scumbag off the streets sooner. Maybe Jean and Jim would still be alive today. I used to live on Lindendale Rd and we NEVER had to deal with crap like this. That was back in the late ‘70’s to 1988. Half the time our front door was not locked, but I can guarantee you that if I lived there now, not only would my door be locked all the time-day or night-whether someone was home or not-but I’d have a security system and maybe a watch dog or two! What a pity that a quite neighborhood like Lindendale, has come to this.
Thank you mszthane60 and mazey!!
msztkane60, This crime as others was heartless. Indeed I can see by reading your comment that you believe this too. Unfortunatedly, you are too quick to judge! two wrongs don’t make a right. We have to be better than that! As I had said before, the people in this sad situation, and I mean ALL the people, are suffering in one way or another. Saying nasty remarks about the SUSPECT’s mother and father and calling them nasty names is not how this situation should be approached! The only thing to be doing is thanking our lucky stars that we were not part of this story and most importantly, to stop all this hatred towards others.
I think people like Listen 12, should keep their comments to themselves when they are trying to defend scum like this. You are just generating more anger for the people who have known the Smith family or know of the culprit who did this heartless murderer. You are feeling bad for the mother of this cockroach, who probably let her son do whatever as long as he was out of her hair. Mrs. Smith, just from what I read and hear, was an outstanding model mom and citizen, who worked hard to make sure her children were brought up well. Can anybody tell me what Mrs. Pickney did to help her son of a b@#ch son grow up to be a fine young man. Nothing from what I could see, She brought up a thief, a scumbag, with no morals, no apathy for other human beings. I beleive he enherited his twisted sick soul from his parents, certainly not sociey. Don’t even think that poverty or race is a reason to do his perverted crimes. It is part of the sick brain his mom and dad gave him and then nurished him to be evil. He should of been in juvenile jail long ago and thrown away the key then this wouldn’t have happened. We need to get tougher on young criminals because that’s where it starts. I am looking into buying a gun now, and if someone comes in my home to rob or what, I can defend myself. Let’s not feel sorry for criminals, lets be tough on crime for real this time. And stop with the pity party for xavier and his clan. I can’t imagine what kind of Christmas the rest of the Smith family had. My condolences go to Jean Smith’s parents also. I have a wonderful daughter who is the same age as their daughter and if I lost her especially to this violence at the hands of a useless misfit it would be the end of my life. I will pray for them also because I am heartbroken for them and I can’t imagine the pain they are enduring at this time.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Smith family. I was born, raised and continue to reside in this county. I have seen changes just like everyone else. One thing that remains constant is that there are evil people in this world. They come in ALL colors and religous preferences. Let’s try not to focus on the wrong issues. Let’s do what I believe the victims would want us to do. Let’s show some kindness to each other. Let’s put aside our petty differences and try to rebuild some of the things that have made our country a strong nation. Let’s look out for one another while looking out for ourselves. You can be vigilant and cautious without becoming a cynic.
Now that we know, probably, who did this, can anyone explain why Republican wanna-be politician Chris Royse, who lost an election last year to Frank Principi for Woodbridge District Supervisor, decided to use this tragedy as an occasion to attack Principi?
What’s the connection?
unfortunately looks like I was correct. This kid appeared to be a career criminal by the time he was 15 years old. He should have been locked up without a key somewhere, but someone slipped up and allowed this little animal to live among us. His parents should be locked up right along with him, they are just as culpable in my mind. what a little piece of garbage. The Pinkneys must be proud they raised the perfect little hood or gangsta
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