FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2001

CARY, NC – Just after midnight, Cary murder suspect Phillip Vance Smith turned himself in to officials at the Wake County Public Safety Center in Raleigh. Smith was wanted for the weekend slaying in east Cary of Rico Ronnell Waters, 24, of Pisgah Forest, NC. Smith, who does have a criminal record, is being charged with first degree murder and is being held without bond at the Wake County Detention Center pending his first appearance in court, scheduled for 2:00 PM today.

While Cary Police cannot release the details of their interviews with Smith, investigators will say that so far, Smith’s story appears to be consistent with the information they had gathered thus far about the incident.

"It’s important for us not to do anything to prejudice the case," said Chief Windy Hunter. "We’re continuing our full investigation of the matter and will leave it to the District Attorney to share further details." Hunter praised the efforts of his staff and local law enforcement who assisted in the case.

Town of Cary Police officers were called to the parking lot of 204 Woodcreek Drive at Woodcreek Apartments around 5:00 AM Saturday by citizens who discovered Waters when they pulled into the parking space beside the 1991 black Nissan Maxima in which he was slumped over dead in the passenger’s seat after having been shot by a 9mm handgun. Neighbors, who did not notify police at the time, later reported having heard several gunshots early Friday evening. In addition to a number of pieces of evidence that police cannot disclose at this time, an eyewitness identified Smith as Waters’ killer from a photo lineup. Information gathered by investigators also indicates that Waters and Smith may have been part of a drug deal gone awry.

Waters is the first person to be murdered in Cary since December 31, 1995.

###