Robert Durham’s friend appeared on the third day of Adam Smith murder trial

Editor’s note: This story contains descriptive details of evidence presented in court that some readers may find disturbing.

CANTON — Ronald “Huck” Durham and Adam Smith’s friends and acquaintances took the stand Thursday in the fourth day of the Adam Smith murder trial.

Smith is accused of murdering Durham on February 11, 2023, and William Freeman on March 2, 2023.

Eric Fisher, a former Governor resident who now lives in New Mexico, said he knew Durham about two months before his death.

Fisher said she lived in Gouverneur for about 23 years, living at her last residence for 12 years, then moved to New Mexico about 9 months ago to care for her dying sister. Upon his death shortly after the move, Fisher said he and his wife decided to stay in New Mexico.

When asked by District Attorney Gary Pasqua about the nature of his relationship with Durham, Fisher said he was a friend he first met at Stewart’s Shops on Route 11 in Gouverneur.

Fisher said that after meeting Durham, he quickly became friends with the deceased and often helped him with his daily chores.

Durham would often pick up Fisher at his home and take him to Stewart’s Shop to buy coffee and cigarettes from Durham.

Fisher said Durham would also purchase essential items like milk, eggs and coffee to help him “because he is disabled.”

Durham said he would help “Huck” many times, including fixing a snowblower for him.

At the time of his death, Durham was suffering from a leg injury following a fall and was undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified cancer, according to multiple people.

On the morning of February 11, Durham and Fisher drove Durham’s Dodge Ram 25oo to the Stewarts; where Fisher made her usual purchases on behalf of Durham and left the store around 3:59 a.m.

On some occasions, they would return to Durham’s home and chat over coffee, Fisher said.

Surveillance footage shown during the hearing on Oct. 24 shows Fisher re-entering the store just after 4:01 a.m. to purchase a cold whip and ground coffee for himself.

He later said Durham also purchased a blueberry drink on his behalf.

Exterior footage shows the truck, with a red plow and a yellow warning light on the cab, leaving the parking lot minutes later and turning north to take Fisher home.

Fisher testified that this was actually the reason the truck left that direction as Durham was taking Fisher home.

About 15 minutes later, Durham’s truck was captured on Stewart’s security footage driving south in front of the store.

Fisher, who served as a lieutenant in the service from 1992 to 1995 and was honorably discharged, described himself as suffering from epilepsy and “short-term memory” on multiple occasions, the latter the result of a steel plate. in his head. He did not specify how he suffered memory loss, but commented that he did not always have epilepsy.

As a result, Fisher said, he was unable to obtain a driver’s license.

He said Durham always drove his own truck and would give Fisher a ride.

When cross-examined by defense lawyer Brian Barrett, Fisher was asked how he paid for the goods at Stewart’s Shop on February 11.

Fisher said he used his EBT card.

“So what is this?” Barrett asked.

“This is my food stamps. Come on, you know this,” Fisher said.

Barrett asked Fisher who he had met at Stewart’s that morning.

Fisher said the woman who worked there was named “Shelly.” He said he knew this because he saw him every day when he went to Durham for coffee and cigarettes.

Barrett asked if he knew the other person working at the store, and Fisher said he did not.

Barrett also questioned Fisher’s attendance at the hearing, asking how he got back to the North Country.

Fisher said the District Attorney’s Office bought him a return ticket and put him up in a hotel. When asked, Barrett could not confirm which hotel or town he was staying at.

Fisher also could not say Pasqua’s name at Barrett’s prompting. He also failed to name three Deputy District Attorneys who, at Barrett’s direction, assisted Pasqua on the case.

Barrett said, “You got a call from my private investigator, didn’t you?” he said.

Fisher confirmed this but said he refused to speak to her.

“And you refused to talk to him?” Barrett asked.

“Yes.”

“How come?”

Fisher said he refused to “talk to the enemy.”

“Is my private detective my enemy?” Barrett asked.

“He killed my uncle,” Fisher said.

“Who did it, my private investigator? Barrett asked

No man. Adam West,” Fisher said.

“Adam West?” Barrett asked.

“The man is West. He killed my uncle. That’s why I won’t talk to anyone on his side,” Fisher said.

Fisher became combative on more than one occasion and refused to answer clarifying questions, prompting Judge Greg Storie to step in and inform Fisher that he was, in fact, required to do so unless an objection continued on a specific question.

Fisher called Smith “a disgrace to the uniform.”

Barrett questioned how Fisher knew this and said Durham told him so.

Barrett asked Fisher more questions, including about his time in the service.

He proceeded to a line of questioning that included which branch he served in, when he served, what his rank was, and what his profession was.

“Did you serve abroad?” Barrett asked.

“Yes.”

“And you were treated by the VA?”

“Yes.”

“So where was he when he was treated by the VA?”

“I received treatment locally at the VA and in New Mexico.”

“Did they ever diagnose you in the army?”

“PTSPT,” Fisher replied.

Fisher later revealed that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder twice during his time in the service.

“So, did you serve in Desert Storm?”

“Yes.”

“And you were assigned?”

“Yes.”

“To where?”

“Baghdad.”

“Did you go to Baghdad?”

“Yes.”

Barrett continued the questioning, asking for specific details about Fisher’s time. He confirmed that he was a Lieutenant while in the Navy.

“I was a helicopter pilot,” Fisher said.

“Did you fly helicopters in the Navy?” Barrett asked.

Fisher replied, “Yes, I did.”

“What kind?” Barrett asked.

“Blackhawks,” Fisher responded.

“Really? I’m a helicopter pilot too,” said Barrett.

He asked Fisher questions about the plane’s controls, what the proper terms were, and what their functions were.

Fisher was clearly agitated, saying multiple times that he couldn’t remember certain names.

“Do you know what Blackhawk’s pedals do?” Barrett asked.

Fisher said the pedals were generally for acceleration, but Barrett asked if Fisher knew they would actually be used to control the plane’s tail rotor.

Fisher said there were “lots of pedals” and he didn’t know what they would be used for.

Fisher also couldn’t remember where the radio button was on the Blackhawk.

“I don’t remember everything, okay? I can’t remember everything. Fisher said my head was on a steel plate.”

“I have no idea right now. I have memory loss. I no longer have a pilot’s license, so drop the questions when they have nothing to do with the case,” Fisher continued.

Barrett questioned Fisher about his military background and whether he had any trouble with military police about stealing motorcycles, but Fisher said he had done no such thing.

Following Durham’s death, police visited him at his home, Fisher said.

He claimed that a soldier took two knives from him shortly after the murder, and that he had not yet received either of them.

When asked why he had two knives, Fisher said they were “for prank dogs.”

“Do you have a knife for the dogs?” Barrett asked.

Fisher said he did so because he lived in the country and for conservation purposes.

Fisher stated that it was “impossible” to buy a gun in New York state and said “no one can buy one.”

“Well, I have a gun, too,” said Barrett.

“Can’t you get a gun? You’re a convicted criminal too, aren’t you?” Barrett asked.

Fisher suggested this was because Barrett was an attorney before Barrett questioned Fisher’s criminal record.

Pasqua objected to Storie’s insinuations.

Barrett also asked Fisher questions about the sale of her trailer before the move, including who bought the house.

“I don’t know. My wife handled it,” Fisher replied.

When asked why he moved, Fisher said it was to “get away” from his ex-wife, who called the police.

“I thought you said you moved out to take care of your sister?” Barrett asked.

“I did.” Fisher replied, “So I moved out to get away from my ex-wife.”

Pasqua explained the timeline of that morning’s events as he crossed Fisher again. Fisher said he went home, made a cup of coffee and watched TV.

A few hours later, he voluntarily gave a statement to the State Police Superintendent Mansion and was notified of Durham’s death. He also confirmed that he voluntarily provided a DNA sample after he was notified of Durham’s death.

When asked if he had gone to East Riverside Cemetery, Fisher said he had not.

The hearing will continue on October 25 at 09.30.

See previous stories:

“Pathologist testifies in Adam Smith murder trial, details autopsy performed on first victim”

Multiple witnesses testified on the second day of the Adam Smith murder trial

“Adam Smith’s murder trial in St. It’s off to a contentious start in Lawrence District Court.”