Closing Arguments Monday In Trial Of Vallejo Cop Murder Suspect

A Solano County jury is expected to hear closing arguments Monday at the trial of a Fairfield man charged with killing Vallejo police Officer Jim Capoot in 2011.

Henry Albert Smith Jr., 41, faces the death penalty if he is convicted of the fatal shooting of Capoot, 45, of Vacaville, in the backyard of a residence on Janice Street in Vallejo on Nov. 17, 2011. Capoot was shot three times in the back when he chased a suspect in the robbery of the Bank of America in Vallejo around 1:30 p.m.

Police said Capoot used a PIT maneuver to stop the robbery suspect’s GMC Denali then chased the suspect on foot.

Police said Capoot was wearing body armor under his uniform but a bullet still caused a mortal wound. An estimated 4,000 people attended a memorial service for Capoot at Vallejo High School’s Corbus Field on Nov. 30, 2011. Jury selection started June 1 and the prosecution presented evidence over the next three weeks.

There was a break in the trial when Solano County Superior Court Judge Peter B. Foor became ill, and the defense rested its case Wednesday. Foor issued a gag order on Dec. 1, 2011, prohibiting attorneys from discussing the case.

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