Amos Leroy Smail, a 60-year-old male, was fatally shot in the chest on the evening of May 10, 2020. The incident occurred at his residence located on US Highway 522 in Union Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Smail was a certified welder and had also worked as a truck driver for a Hazmat company before his retirement. He was known to enjoy listening to music, playing the drums, and spending time with his grandson and his dogs.
An argument between Smail and his roommate, Jay R.
Vought, who was 65 at the time, escalated into a physical altercation. According to a witness who was also present at the home, the two men had been arguing throughout the day. The situation intensified when Smail went into Vought’s bedroom, leading to a physical fight. The witness stated that after the initial scuffle, Smail left the room and sat in a chair in the living room. Vought then reportedly retrieved a. 22 caliber revolver from his bedroom, approached Smail, and shot him once in the chest.
Following the shooting, Vought allegedly admitted to the witness that he had shot Smail and instructed him to call 911. When state police arrived at the scene, they found Smail deceased in the living room. Vought was taken into custody without incident and subsequently arrested.
Jay R. Vought was charged with one count of criminal homicide and one count of aggravated assault. During his arraignment, Vought claimed that the shooting was in self-defense, stating that Smail had been 'beating on me all day.' He alleged that Smail had been drinking and had physically assaulted him multiple times, causing him to fear for his life. However, after a preliminary hearing where the witness provided testimony, the charge of criminal homicide was held for court. Vought was denied bail and was incarcerated at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility to await trial.
