LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two people have been charged with the murder of a witness aiding a federal investigation, announced United States Attorney Russell Coleman.

Bobby Lee Smith, 46, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Cynthia Allen, 31, of Louisville, Kentucky, were both charged in a three count indictment by a federal Grand Jury sitting in Louisville on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

“Our system only works when the public shares information with law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman “And the rule of law requires that United States protects witnesses to crimes.”

According to the indictment, on or about May 8, 2016, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, the defendants aided and abetted each other, and did kill A.P., with the intent to retaliate for the attendance and testimony given by A.P. to a Grand Jury proceeding on or about October 8, 2014 in the Western District of Kentucky.

The defendants are also charged with tampering with a witness by killing. Smith and Allen aided and abetted each other, killing A.P., with the intent to prevent the attendance and testimony of A.P. in an official proceeding, the trial of case number 3:15-CR-00058, scheduled for November 28, 2016 with the intent to prevent the communication by A.P. to a law enforcement officer or judge of the United States relating to the commission of a federal offense.

The Grand Jury also charged the defendants, with tampering with a witness by killing. On or about May 8, 2016, Smith and Allen aided and abetted each other, killing A.P., a person assisting a federal criminal investigation.

If convicted by a jury, the defendants face no less than life imprisonment or the death penalty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lettricea Jefferson-Webb and Robert Bonar. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).

 The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusationonly and that person is presumed innocent until and unlessproven guilty.