Two Volusia County defendants were recently indicted for murder by a grand jury in two separate cases.
The Volusia County Grand Jury convened on November 20th to hear a few cases, according to the State Attorney’s office.
The first case was that of Chadley Joseph. The defendant is accused of stabbing one of his roommates in the face, neck and back inside their Daytona Beach apartment unit on November 6, 2024. The victim died from her injuries at the scene.
The second case was that of Dougnitrio Smith. The defendant is accused of burglarizing and then murdering a woman in her Port Orange home before setting the house on fire in July 2020.
The indictments were handed down. Joseph was charged with First-Degree Murder. Smith was charged with an additional count of Burglary with a Battery. A previous Grand Jury indicted Smith on First-Degree Murder and Arson of a Dwelling.
The case against Joseph was investigated by the Daytona Beach Police Department. The case against Smith was investigated by the Port Orange Police Department.
Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak will prosecute the homicide cases for the state.
