Former Raiders player sentenced to three life terms for murders

A former defensive lineman was sentenced Jan. 22 to three consecutive life terms in state prison without parole for a 1999 double homicide and 2001 murder, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. 

A jury on Nov. 5 found Anthony Wayne Smith, a 48-year-old black man, guilty of three counts of first degree murder for killing Ricky and Kevin Nettles in 1999 and Dennis Henderson in 2001. Several special allegations were also found true, including torture, kidnapping and multiple murders.

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a fourth murder charge in the 2008 death of Maurilio Ponce, 31. Prosecutors have decided not to retry the case, which has been dismissed, according to a spokesman for the district attorney's office.

Smith, who played for the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders, posed as a police officer on Nov. 10, 1999, and kidnapped Ricky and Kevin Nettles from their car wash business in Los Angeles. The two brothers were tortured and killed. They were found the next day, according to court testimony.

On June 24, 2001, Smith kidnapped Dennis Henderson in Mar Vista. He later beat and stabbed Henderson to death, according to evidence presented at the four-week trial.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 21; Smith faces a maximum of three life terms without the possibility of parole.

Smith was a top draft pick for the Raiders in 1990. After his third season, he signed a four-year, $7.6-million contract extension with the team. In 1997, he opted out of his contract and did not sign with another team.

After ending his career, Smith faced legal troubles and was charged with firebombing a furniture store in Santa Monica. The firebombing was reportedly over a dispute with the store's owner about money and a consignment item. A judge later dismissed the case after two juries deadlocked.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.