> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Ex-NFL player pleads not guilty to arson
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/ex-nfl-player-pleads-not-guilty-to-arson/
- Published: 2003-07-30T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:39:43.000Z
- Author: John Wood
- Tags: Crime, Marina del Rey, #archive-import

*ARSON, from page 1 Ex-Raider wants bail reduction*

A former LA/Oakland Raider football player pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he set fire to a Santa Monica furniture and antique shop, causing $4 million in damages.

Anthony Wayne Smith, 36, of Marina del Rey, was arrested by Santa Monica Police on July 15 and charged with arson in connection with the Feb. 13 fire that gutted Simply Sofas, located on the 2300 block of Lincoln Boulevard. He remains incarcerated in Los Angeles County Jail.

Smith, a standout defensive end for eight seasons with the Raiders, is being held on $1 million bail. He is scheduled to return to court Friday to request a bail decrease.

Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Jean Daley, the prosecutor in the case, refused to comment on the nature of the evidence against Smith. Daley works in the division of the District Attorney’s Office that pursues accused arsons, career criminals, stalkers and those who commit crimes against police officers.

Ted Yamamoto, Smith’s lawyer, did not appear at Tuesday’s arraignment. He said he has not had a chance to review the evidence or discuss the charges with Smith, who he has known for years.

> “These things coming up right now are way out of character for him,”

> “These things coming up right now are way out of character for him. I’m amazed at what’s transpired.” — he said. — TED YAMAMOTO Attorney for Anthony Smith

> “I’m amazed at what’s transpired.”

Erick Ward, another friend of Smith’s who represented him at the arraignment, said the former football player had a business relationship with Marilyn Nelson, owner of Simply Sofas.

Nelson told the Daily Press earli-er this month that Smith sold personal items, such as framed swords and marble obelisks, on consignment at her store for years. The items were worth between $100 and several hundred dollars each.

The relationship between the two fell apart earlier this year when Smith demanded a duplicate check for some of his items that were sold, claiming he had lost the first check, Nelson said.

When Smith tried to cash both checks and the bank notified Nelson, she stopped payment on the second one. She never heard from Smith again.

Less than two weeks later, Simply Sofas burned down. Nelson said she had no idea Smith was a suspect until a few days before he was arrested.

Smith, a first-round draft pick from the University of Arizona in 1990, played for the LA/Oakland Raiders from 1991 to 1997\. During his pro career, Smith amassed 178 tackles and 58 sacks. The team moved from Los Angeles to Oakland in 1995.

The case is being heard by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan at the Airport Courthouse by LAX.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 30, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/073003.pdf?ref=smdp.com)