Friday,
February 21, 2003
By
Juan Copete, Las Cruces Herald of Truth Editor
Las
Cruces, NM – Timmy Smith, a reporter for The Las Cruces Herald of Truth was
transported to Memorial Medical Center after being injured in an electrical
accident at the Starshine Movie Theater.
Smith was on assignment for the Herald, reviewing the movie Daredevil,
when the accident occurred.
Patrons
inside the theater reported that shortly after the movie began, Smith began to
complain loudly about the film and to make comments regarding the sexual
orientation of the film’s lead actor.
About thirty minutes into the movie, Smith is said to have stood up and
yelled, “It’s all I can stands and I can’t stands no more.” At this point, Smith allegedly threw an
empty whiskey bottle at the movie screen and exited the theater. Shortly thereafter, the movie stopped and sounds
described by witnesses as loud crackling and popping noises were heard coming
from the projectionist’s room that is located above the theater. The projectionist on duty stated that Smith
entered the projectionist’s room and began to urinate on the projection
equipment, causing the equipment to short out and stop working. Apparently, the electricity from the
equipment traveled up Smith’s urine stream to his body and Smith was severely
electrocuted.
When
interviewed by the Herald, many of the theater’s patrons expressed
gratitude to Smith for stopping the film.
Said one movie-goer, “ I think that man is a true hero. Without regard to his own safety, he took it
upon himself to put an end to our suffering.”
This
accident is eerily similar to one that occurred on Christmas Eve .