A Soddy-Daisy man was indicted Tuesday on second degree murder charges in the stabbing death of his brother.
Police allege Joseph Tanner Smith, 32, killed Justin Tyler Smith in an apparent altercation over phone volume in the early hours of June 29, 2025.
Justin Smith, 37, died in a hospital after Chattanooga police came to the scene in Brainerd, an affidavit from police said.
Police arrived at a home on Lindsay Avenue around 5:30 in the morning, where they found Justin Smith with multiple stab wounds and his brother Joseph Smith with a laceration on his head, the affidavit said.
Based on conversations with Joseph Smith and other occupants of the home at the time, police believe the stabbing followed an altercation in which Justin Smith complained that the volume on the defendant’s phone was too loud and was keeping him awake, the affidavit said.
“I observed a large amount of blood in the living room, kitchen and hallway outside the victim’s bedroom,” Detective Stephen Bulkley said in the affidavit, which also said Joseph Smith had waived his right to remain silent.
(SIGN UP: Get breaking news in your inbox as it happens by going to timesfreepress.com/breaking)
Occupants of the home at the time told police they separated the brothers and attempted to provide aid to Justin Smith until officers arrived, according to the affidavit.
At first, Joseph Smith said he had no memory of an altercation, the affidavit said, but later said his brother had complained about the noise and that it had irritated the defendant.
Bulkley said he found a knife and mallet, both covered in blood, at the scene, and he interviewed witnesses who said they watched Justin Smith strike Joseph Smith with the mallet, according to the affidavit.
The officer determined Justin Smith’s actions with the mallet were consistent with self-defense, as the witness said Justin Smith had been stabbed in the chest before the mallet swing, the affidavit said.
Court filings do not list an attorney for Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith remains in jail on a $1 million bond.
At the time of reporting, he was scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9, at 9:00 AM in room 102 at the Hamilton County Courthouse, according to the court’s website.