Dying to Believe

Some more of the same

It’s a deadly game. Which is going to come first? Am I going to run out of Tuesdays? This Tuesday we honor young Josef Smith of Mableton, Tennessee.

The father of Josef Smith said his family was “really scared” of the 8-year-old son he and his wife Sonya Smith are accused of murdering, according to testimony from a Cobb County police officer Wednesday.

Sgt. Steven Gaynor said Smith told him a day after the boy’s death in October 2003 his son acted as if he were possessed by the devil.

“I pictured it like ‘The Exorcist,’ ” said Gaynor, who testified that Joseph Smith told him the boy was capable of acts and deeds not consistent with an 8-year-old. The father said his son would often speak in a frightening tone, telling his parents, “I am Legion, soldier of the devil.”

Joseph and Sonya Smith, of Mableton, each face one count of murder, three counts of felony murder, five counts of first-degree child cruelty, three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of false imprisonment.

Jurors were shown autopsy photos of Josef that displayed numerous bruises and abrasions all over his body.

Jesus is not finished with you. Tuesday will roll around again in seven days. Keep reading. And may Jesus have mercy on your soul.

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