Man accused of shooting woman in alleged road rage incident faces new charges

CHARLOTTE — A woman who was shot in a case of alleged road rage nearly three years ago is hoping for justice.

Herman Kern, the man accused of shooting Angela Smith, was found not guilty last year.

Channel 9 learned he’s now behind bars again, accused of similar charges in University City.

Kern was arrested in July for allegedly assaulting another woman. He’s in jail under no bond for assault with a deadly weapon.

Smith was frustrated to lose her case in court and says she is still dealing with mental and emotional trauma, which was compounded by seeing Kern get arrested again.

Court documents say Kern allegedly pistol-whipped a woman at a motel in the University City area. The victim suffered a broken nose and needed stitches.

“When I first saw it, I felt happiness, and then I felt sadness for the people involved ‘cause I know how it affected me in my life,” said Smith. “Just being evicted and every time you get evicted you lose and you leave a part of yourself.”

Smith was shot in the hand and thigh and wasn’t able to work for long stretches.

The record in Smith’s case was expunged, so we can’t see why or how the jury reached its decision.

“The judicial system is not right, it’s not right,” Smith said.

Because Kern had other pending charges, the judge refused to give him a bond.