Man Charged In Woman's Slaying, 2 Store Robberies

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Maryland State Police say a western Maryland man already jailed on robbery charges has been charged with first-degree murder and theft in the slaying of a Smithsburg woman.

Police said in a statement Friday that 26-year-old Anthony Minnick of Smithsburg is charged in the death of 55-year-old Sonya Smith. Troopers found her dead in her home Thursday after family members said they hadn't heard from her since Tuesday.

Police say Minnick knew Smith's boyfriend. Smith lived near a store Minnick is charged with robbing Tuesday. He's also charged with robbing a gas station in nearby Hagerstown. He was arrested Wednesday.

No defense attorney is listed in online court records in the murder case. The public defender representing Minnick on robbery charges didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

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