Chicago man found guilty for Fond du Lac attempted homicide

A man on trial in Fond du Lac for the attempted homicide of his then girlfriend in January of 2023 has been found guilty.

On Friday, March 14, 2025, the five day trial for Lataye Smith of Chicago ended with the jury deliberating for just under an hour, before coming back with guilty verdicts for the three counts of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide with a Dangerous Weapon, Mayhem with a Dangerous Weapon, and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon. All charges included a domestic violence enhancer.

According to the criminal complaint, on January 7th of 2023, the victim told Smith she wanted to end things with him. Smith then attacked her in her car with a box cutter knife, attempting to slash her throat and wrist while telling her she was going to die.

The victim was able to fight off Smith and retreat to the Fond du Lac Police Department.

Smith fled the scene before authorities arrived but was captured in Chicago on May 23rd of 2023, and extradited back to Fond du Lac to face charges.

Smith faces 80 years in prison for the charges.