Oral Christopher Smith Arrested After Link To Woman's Bludgeoning Death In St. Thomas

Oral Christopher Smith Arrested After Link To Woman’s Bludgeoning Death In St. Thomas

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A man has been arrested and charged in the bludgeoning death of 35-year-old Regina Powell at a north side home on St. Thomas, according to police

Oral Christopher Smith, 40, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, and using a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence, Virgin Islands Police Department spokesman Glen Dratte said.

No bail was set and Smith is being held pending an advice-of-rights hearing.

On Saturday, August 25, 2018, at approximately 5:06 a.m., officers were dispatched to Lerkenlund St. Thomas, in reference to a unresponsive female.

Upon arrival, officers observed an unresponsive female on the floor of the apartment.

Emergency Medical Technicians were present and stated that the female did not have any vital signs.

The female was identified as Powell by next of kin.

On Tuesday, August 28, 2018, an autopsy was performed on Powell and it concluded that her cause of death was Blunt Force Trauma to the head.

On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, Oral Christopher Smith was arrested pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the Magistrate Court of the Virgin Islands.

Oral Christopher Smith Arrested After Link To Woman's Bludgeoning Death In St. Thomas