Murder charges filed for fatal stabbing at Renaissance Festival
07:47 PM CDT on Sunday, October 17, 2004
By Mike Zientek / 11 News
A 19-year-old Montgomery County man is in jail, accused of murdering a Navy sailor home on leave.
It happened at the Texas Renaissance Festival Saturday night in Grimes County.
Thousands came out on a muggy Sunday for a trip back in time, courtesy of the Texas Renaissance Festival.
Revelers included Ida Trotter and much of her extended family. "There's a whole lot of magic here. We enjoy that. The fairies, the crystals, everything's just magic and life," said Trotter.
But on the 55-acre tract of medieval festivities, there was much talk about a tragic incident Saturday night.
"It happens everywhere. It's kind of sad to hear that it did," said Al Skinner, festival visitor.
The Grimes County Sheriff said 23-year-old Brandon Smith and his sister were walking through the parking lot, and someone made a remark about his sister that he didn't like and a fight broke out. Brandon smith was stabbed 19 times.
He died shortly after a helicopter flew him to a Conroe Hospital.
Smith and his sister Kristin were both home on leave from the Navy and were just out enjoying themselves.
By late afternoon, the Grimes County Sheriff was confident of an arrest. "We've developed some good suspect information and I believe we'll have an arrest sometime this evening," said Sheriff Dan Sowell.
He had it an hour later and 19-year-old Brent Noland of Montgomery County was charged with murder after turning himself in. Detectives said they found blood in his truck.
As the Renaissance Festival went on, Brandon Smith's mother said all her son ever wanted to do was help people.
Now she wants justice for the person who turned an evening of fun into something foul.
Grimes County investigators are still looking for other men who were with the suspect.
Renaissance Festival officials said this was the first time anyone had died in the event's 30-year history.
www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou041017_gj_trfstabbing.9867df0.htmlThank You Brandon & Kristin Smith for serving.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Brandon Smith's family.
only thought i have for the scum is!