Updated Jun 8, 2019 at 12:59am
“Philip Smith, the ex-husband of former, now deceased Arkansas lawmaker
Linda Collins-Smith, is a retired controversial judge who agreed to not serve on the bench anymore.
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Here’s what you need to know:
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[Collins-Smith and Smith] separated in 2016 before filing for divorce the following year, according to court records.
[
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette] alleges that the divorce was considered ‘bitter’ and involved disagreements over property and money. The divorce
was finalized in 2018.
The divorce led to employment-related problems for Philip Smith. The retired judge was reprimanded by the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission,
the Arkansas Times reported in February 2019.
The already retired judge, who left the bench in 2017, ‘agreed not to serve in the judiciary in the future, including by temporary assignment,’ the newspaper reported,
adding that the complaint ‘arose from testimony’ he provided during his divorce from Collins-Smith. He was accused of using office ‘computer equipment after hours for ‘extrajudicial activities’ that were not specified, according to The Arkansas Times.
You can read the press release announcing the reprimand
here. It alleges that Smith
admitted ‘under oath, during divorce litigation…that you improperly used court computer equipment after regular work hours at the office.’
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The Smiths’ daughter-in-law wrote a heartbroken tribute to Linda Collins-Smith on Facebook. ‘This amazing woman is my mother-in-law, my children’s grandmommy, the love of my life mom. Linda Collins loved her family,’ wrote Jennifer McKenzie-Smith on Facebook.
‘Now, a monster has taken her away from us. My children can no longer make new memories with thier grandmommy, my husband doesn’t have his mom, I dont have my mother in law. This is the most hardest thing to go through, there are no words to describe the pain, and heartache.I want to Thank everyone for all the love, and support. She will be missed but never forgotten. Love you Grandmommy. #justiceforLinda.”
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Philip Smith has been in the news before in a bizarre ways. In 2018, for example, he was allegedly assaulted in a grocery store.
According to NEA Report, a man was accused of ramming his shoulder into Smith during what started as a verbal dispute.
As for his ex-wife’s death, the Arkansas State Police, which is handling the case, has said very little. ‘The Arkansas State Police was contacted late yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, June 5, 2019), and requested to provide investigative assistance at a residence in Pocahontas (Randolph County).
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Special Agents of the department’s Criminal Investigation Division were met at the location by Randolph County Sheriff’s Department personnel who reported individuals, familiar with the person who resided at the home, had discovered human remains outside the home.’
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According to the Areawide Media story, Phil Smith once worked as a journalist. That career was fairly short-lived, though.
He worked for the Jonesboro Sun and Arkansas Democrat, positions he held while in college and after leaving the Army, the site reported, adding, ‘He and his wife own and operate the Days Inn and Suites in Pocahontas.’
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Philip Smith, Linda Collins-Smith’s Husband: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
