Hendersonville man charged with murder

No one stopped the fight that's how it went that far. You have to consider your oen safety when trying to control someone else. Unless you are specifically trained for combat, you can get hurt or sued by the party you are trying to control. It's a shame that this happened.

Cate wrote:

No one stopped the fight that's how it went that far. You have to consider your oen safety when trying to control someone else. Unless you are specifically trained for combat, you can get hurt or sued by the party you are trying to control. It's a shame that this happened.

From what I can gather, Smotherman attacked the victim from behind, and choked and beat his head on the table. Another man got his leg broken trying to break it up. I would only fault the bar in that I've not seen a lot of bouncers in there in the past. But I've seen a lot of bars with that same problem.

I know David and it goes to show you just how precious life is and how you can be perceived as something/someone totally different that who you really are. He is not a monster at all.

David is a good guy. This entire situation is so unfortunate. As it seems, it's quite easy for people to pass judgement on someone they don't know. It's important for those people to know that some of us do support Dave. People do know what kind of person he really is. We should all have compassion for EVERYONE affected by this horrible situation.

I was in absolute shock to hear of what took place only due to the fact that i grew up with David and know the kinda of person he is, something extreme must have been done to trigger this behavior in him,He is a family man , hes a husband and a brother and must not be judged by anyone untill all the details regarding this situation are clear we do not condone his behavior but we support him and his family through this ordeal.

David is not a bad person. I have known him for 13 years and I know how much of a family man he is and he would never knowingly put that in jeopardy. I know his wife, his children, his family. I know how supportive they and all of his friends will be during this tough time. As horrific as this was, we must all keep in mind that, until everything is determined, it is impossible for us to pass judgement on him. He truly is a good man and I pray that we will all be supportive to both him and his family. I know that, at least for me, my prayers go to him, his family, and all of those who have had the privelege to know David.

Regardless of how good of a person David is, he still took the life of another human being, remember also that it has been said this was a case of mistaken identity. He did this to the wrong man. Noone deserves this to happen to them and by that I mean Mr. Clark not David. Who cares what triggered David to do this, he did it.

yea he got in 2 a fight, but tha way i hear it mr. clark was all over my cousins wife, he was told ta stay away from her, NOT that he will b killed. mr. clark grabed his wife and started kissin and rubbin down her shirt, she tries ta get away, but he wont let her go, so my cousin comes ta her rescue, and they got in a fight so tha old prevert really had it comin, now didnt he? my cousin did not try 2 kill tha man, but all this talk about he is a monster has got me very aggravated, he's no monster... he was protectin his wife and a man died, my cousin is innocent, who's ta say tha man didnt have ne prior medical conditions in which lead ta his death. so b4 u call my cousin a murderer or a monster y dont u stop and ask urself if wouldnt have dun tha same thang, if a man/ woman was sexually attackin ur special someone... WHAT WOULD U DO?

HIS COUSIN wrote:

yea he got in 2 a fight, but tha way i hear it mr. clark was all over my cousins wife, he was told ta stay away from her, NOT that he will b killed. mr. clark grabed his wife and started kissin and rubbin down her shirt, she tries ta get away, but he wont let her go, so my cousin comes ta her rescue, and they got in a fight so tha old prevert really had it comin, now didnt he? my cousin did not try 2 kill tha man, but all this talk about he is a monster has got me very aggravated, he's no monster... he was protectin his wife and a man died, my cousin is innocent, who's ta say tha man didnt have ne prior medical conditions in which lead ta his death. so b4 u call my cousin a murderer or a monster y dont u stop and ask urself if wouldnt have dun tha same thang, if a man/ woman was sexually attackin ur special someone... WHAT WOULD U DO?

Uhm Excuse me but MR. Clark is affectionately known as PAPA and in all the time I have know him I have NEVER NEVER seen so much as even touch another women and the fact that your cousin was rushing to his wife's rescue is bullshit the fact that he took her home and came back to beat the shit out of the first man in a blue shirt that he could find is what is going to put him in jail for the rest of his life for murdering someone.

ya! he's not a monster. no, he's a human being, a human being, who would take it upon himself to threaten another mans' life, attack a man, from behind, a man who is in a non combative position, take that man, who is in a non combative position, and brutally assault him. ya, what a great guy. ya, he's such a good guy. such a good guy i would love to meet him, ya i would love to meet this great guy who would attack another man from behind who is in a non combative position, oh i wish i could meet him, he sounds so wonderful, i want to meet david a. smotherman. probably won't get a chance though since he's going to rot in prison, oh well maybe i'll see him in hell. oh ya, i Know the facts folks, sorry if this guy is your friend. no he's not a monster he's just done.

your cousin killed an innocent man bub. sorry if i'm the first to tell you. I respect the fact you are taking his side, but the truth shall prevail. I am truly sorry for everyone involved in this horrible event. peace, love, and respect, is what life is all about. none of that was excercised that night, if it had been, none of that would have happened. your boy thought he was in the right, but he had the wrong guy, and even if it was the guy he was wrong handling it the way he did. we all get pissed off, and we all have to deal with it, but not like that, ya know. love and respect, sean

SLICK wrote:

Regardless of how good of a person David is, he still took the life of another human being, remember also that it has been said this was a case of mistaken identity. He did this to the wrong man. Noone deserves this to happen to them and by that I mean Mr. Clark not David. Who cares what triggered David to do this, he did it.

The FACT does remain that David murder Sam Clark. The sad part is that yes he was probably under the influence and not in his right mind, but that is NO excuse! David is a 28 year old adult and has to be held accountable for his actions. It no longer matter what kind of "family man" he might have been, he is a MURDERER and will forever be seen in that light. If it is a case of his wife being felt up by someone, that is still NO REASON to KILL someone. The fact is that Mr. Clark never stood a chance for recovery and COUSIN.....let me tell you, it does not matter if he may have had prior medical problems. You cannot just go around choking people and bashing their heads into tables! I used to know David from school and never would have thought him to be the one to do this, but hey you NEVER really KNOW anyone do you? That is why we are always in shock when these things happen. He should be punished and to the fullest extent of the law governed by the state! I feel very very sorry for the family of Mr. Clark and Mr. Gamble (the man whose leg was broken) but NOT and NEVER will for David Smotherman. I do pray for the mentality of his family who has to live with the fact that they have a murderer in the family. And for his children, that their dad is a murderer.....to them my prayers to go out!

Wow! I am always amazed at just how low the human race can stoop. How many people who have made these posts were at Sputnik's that fateful night? How many of you have husbands/wives, parents, children? A bad thing happened. Good people make life changing mistakes. Bad people can go their whole lives and never miss a beat- the only TRUE fact here is that the facts are still being investigated, and there are two families in crisis. Let the investigation speak for both men, and if you don't know 110% what the real story is, save your comments for the day when you may need all the love and support for whatever tragedy could be in store for your family one day. There is but one Judge- and he loves BOTH men.

Ya wald, I agree with your last statement and the fact I was not there and I do not know everything that happened. The one thing that seems to be consistent is that Mr. Clark was approached from behind and brutally murdered. There really is no excuse for that. You talk about "bad" people, the "man" you are defending is nothing, he's done. I understand anger. I am an outside observer. There is a reason people who cannot control themselves are incarcerated. Human nature is unpredictable and none of us know what we are actually capable of. But once it happens what's to say it won't happen again. Love and respect must be practiced, daily, towards our fellow man, it is a basic fact of life in our society. Most people don't even have to think about it, they just do it. For others it is more difficult. That is why we have prisons. As i have said previously, I am sincerly sorry for everyone involved. I am not trying to judge anyone. Love and Respect!

You say you try not judge but you just clearly did, SEAN. Prisons are set forth in our society to reform those individuals to being able to live with in the boundaries of our constitutional rights. Which also grants everyone the right to a FAIR TRAIL, and shall not be proven guilty until convicted by a court of our law. Justice is blind because it works on basis of fact and not that of idle story telling. You and every one once of must of played the telephone game at the age of five which is exactly what is being done here. I did not witness the events nor have been handed the decree to make me a judge and jury, so I shall not label any one with a pre-judged label. Everyone needs to comes to the acceptance that two families have been tragically effected. Anyone passing judgment based on pure one sided here-say needs to remember the tragedy that has effected both families. Any one who just wants to just pass blame is only hindering in the helping of these families trying survive from this tragedy, as WALD pointed out “save your comments for the day when you may need all the love and support for whatever tragedy could be in store for your family one day”. These comments space are not intended for narrow minded people to hinder the process of healing, and anyone who uses it in that matter should only be ashamed of them-selves. Remember the true focus is helping and supporting your fellow man as your constitutional right has GIVEN you that opportunity. Any other given situation I am sure you would want fellow man to support your family in a time of need.

As I have said, I am truely and sincerly sorry for everyone involved in this horrible event. I just cannot find simpathy for someone who would blind side someone, resulting in their death. I understand people need to heal after such a horrific event. That's what I am trying to do after finding out what has happened to Samuel Clark. Life is unpredictable, none of us know what's going to happen. I don't mean to offend anyone, and apologize to anyone I have. Anger breeds anger. There was obviously a lot of anger involved in what happened. My respect goes to the families.

Glad you that you take a moment to see the respects to honor those trying to heel, but you as any one else here seem to missing the point. Because ONE newspaper wanted to report ONE statement from ONE witness’ statement still does not prove that this FACT as the news paper itself quoted the investigation is still on going. Please leave all judgment until the time called for given by the court of laws and swallow your pride to be so judgmental to the one side opinion you read. The progress of human race depends on that of people doing such an act, so be the greater man you are attempting to speak as an actually do it, just leave a comment not in defense of pre-judgment, but that of one of sympathy and solitude of those affected.

A GENTLE ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH, BUT A
HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER.
( PROVERBS 15:1* NIV )
We all become angry sometimes with the words or
actions of another. When we do it is important that we
do not respond to them with words of anger. For it is
written: HE WHO GUARDS HIS MOUTH AND HIS
TONGUE KEEPS HIMSELF FROM CALAMITY, and oh
how true that is indeed!( PROVERBS 21:23 )
The Apostle Paul wrote:
DO NOT LET ANY UNWHOLESOME TALK COME OUT
OF YOUR MOUTHS, BUT ONLY WHAT IS HELPFUL
FOR BUILDING OTHERS UP ACCORDING TO THEIR
NEEDS, THAT IT MAY BENEFIT THOSE WHO LISTEN.
( EPHESIANS 4:29 ) Further, James the half brother of
Jesus' wrote: OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH COME PRAISE
AND CURSING. MY BROTHERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE.
( JAMES 3:10 )
After all: PLEASANT WORDS ARE A HONEYCOMB,
SWEET TO THE SOUL AND HEALING TO THE BONES.
( PROVERBS 16:24 ) So,keep your words
soft, sweet and pleasing to our Heavenly Father. After
all He hears every word that we say!
So just as King David did, remember these words when
someone angers you. Then next time before your anger
can take control, recite them in your mind. "MAY THE
WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF MY
HEART BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT, O LORD, MY
ROCK AND MY REDEEMER. Amen.( PSALM 19:14 )

CameronCrazy wrote:

David is not a bad person. I have known him for 13 years and I know how much of a family man he is and he would never knowingly put that in jeopardy. I know his wife, his children, his family. I know how supportive they and all of his friends will be during this tough time. As horrific as this was, we must all keep in mind that, until everything is determined, it is impossible for us to pass judgement on him. He truly is a good man and I pray that we will all be supportive to both him and his family. I know that, at least for me, my prayers go to him, his family, and all of those who have had the privelege to know David.

He was a family man, may be so. But it's ok for him to kill from someone else's family? I do not understand how all of you people are taking up for him so much. There is no call for beating a man to death ...and from behind at that. That is just plain coward and evil. You are not speaking from the death end...I AM. You cannot take lives into yor own hands and do as you please.

~ To everyone who is defending him- there is abosolutely no justification for what he did at all. How can you even try to justify such a horrific act? It's impossible, you will never succeed. Try being on the tragic death end of this horrible story , then how do you feel about what he did...no excuses, no excuse, no excuse, absolutely no excuse. Now I have to see my poor family and myself suffering so bad, you have no idea...and what does that murderer get- defense. You have to pay for your own actions. How can you be such a great and wonderful person and kill a man with your bare hands like nothing. That is not normal. This is not something to be taken lightly in any way...and yet everyone is defending the killer. What about the dead? Does that matter to anyone. You cannot take it upon yourself to take lives into your own hands.