Tragic situation all around.
A Denver man was found guilty last week of second-degree murder in the 2020 shooting of guitarist Zackary Smith.
The shooting occurred back on September 10, 2020 when Smith was found dead in his car outside the house of Patrick Apostol. Police interviewed Apostol at the time and requested security footage, but Apostol reportedly told them that his cameras were broken.
Later, investigators learned that Smith had been in a relationship with Apostol’s then-girlfriend, and the robe he was wearing during that interview tested positive for gunshot residue. He was ultimately arrested in 2023 and charged with second-degree murder.
Apostol is the half-brother of bluegrass star Billy Strings, whose real name is William Lee Apostol. And throughout the case, Denver Westword reports that the suspect credited his famous half-brother for his “lavish lifestyle,” apparently in an attempt to take the focus off his past convictions for drug dealing.
Prosecutors allege that Apostol killed Smith after learning of the affair with his girlfriend. During his trial, however, Apostol claimed that the shooting was self-defense, with attorneys arguing that he had left his house to complete a drug deal with another vehicle and panicked when he saw Smith’s SUV.
A jury didn’t buy the self-defense argument though, finding Apostol guilty of second-degree murder.
Despite Apostol blaming his lifestyle on his half-brother, Billy Strings clarified that the two have never had much of a relationship and dismissed any allegations of a “lavish lifestyle.”
“He is my half brother, much older. I met him when I was like 12 years old and I went to Florida to meet my dad’s side of the family. We didn’t grow up together. I’ve probably seen him 50 times in my entire life. …
Patrick is a grown man and I have nothing to do with this situation other than having the same father. A father who I never knew. I was 2 years old when he died. I never helped Patrick with anything. I’ve literally only flown private like 3 times myself. I don’t live a “lavish lifestyle” .. I’m a working musician who has been trying to get out from under the shadow of growing up in a family of outlaws and drug addicts my whole life.”
Apostol’s sentencing is scheduled for September 14, and he faces up to 48 years in prison.
Following the guilty verdict, Denver District Attorney John Walsh released a statement praising the conviction and expressing his sympathy for Zackary Smith:
“Zackary Smith was a popular Denver musician. His murder on a September night over 5 years ago was a terrible tragedy for everyone who knew him and loved him, both in Denver and beyond. It was a night when the music died.
Today’s guilty verdict ensures that Patrick Apostol will pay a heavy price for his terrible and utterly senseless actions. The verdict won’t bring Zackary back, but it offers a sense that justice has been served, and our thoughts go out to all of his friends and family.”
Just a terrible and senseless tragedy, and terrible that Apostol tried to bring his famous brother into it.
