Johnston County jury finds man not guilty of murder

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Johnston County man was found not guilty of murder in the death of his child's aunt.

Investigators said 50-year-old Dorian Thomas of Smithfield shot 44-year-old Emily Christine Steinhoff during a custody exchange last spring.

Steinhoff, of Garner, took her sister to pick up her sister's 14-month-old daughter on March 17, 2024, after the young girl spent a weekend with her dad in Smithfield.

The jury got the case Friday and came back with a not guilty verdict on all charges.

"We respect the jury's verdict; our thoughts are with Emily's family," said Jimmy Wilson, assistant district attorney.

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