Alexandria Police Charge Man in 2009 Homicide

The Alexandria Police Department has charged Willie Smith, 48, a non-city resident, with the 2009 murder of Michael James Horton, the City announced this afternoon in a news release.

On Thursday, June 18, 2009, at 6 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of N. Payne Street for a report of an aggravated assault. They found a man lying on the ground suffering from several stab wounds to the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide.

Alexandria Police detectives regularly review unsolved cases to see if new investigative steps are available. Individuals in this case were interviewed again for possible new information. It was determined that the suspect, Willie Smith, killed the victim, Michael James Horton, after an altercation.

“Arrests such as these are meaningful professional victories for our detectives”, said Police Chief Earl Cook. “We do not have the necessary resources for a full-time Cold Case Unit. Our detectives carry a full case load and they investigate these “cold cases” in addition to their normal duties because of their commitment to the families of the victims. I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that allowed us to bring this case to a close.

Willie Smith is currently incarcerated at the Greensville Correctional Facility for Abduction and Robbery that occurred in Fairfax County in 2009. The facility is located in Jarratt, Va.

The Alexandria Police Department asks that if you have any information related to this case please contact Sergeant Michael Kochis at 703.746.6285.