One of two men who were shot last week by a convicted killer on the Appalachian Trail in Giles County has been released from a Roanoke hospital and is recovering from his wounds at home.

Scott Johnston, 37, of Bluefield, was shot in the neck and back on May 6. He left Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Monday, days after undergoing surgery that included a tracheotomy, said his brother, Brian Johnston.

The other shooting victim, the Johnstons' friend Sean Farmer, 33, of Tazewell, was released from the same hospital last Wednesday, the day after he was shot in the face and chest.

The man who shot them, 54-year-old Randall Lee Smith, spent 14 years in prison after being convicted of killing two hikers on the trail in 1981.

Smith died Saturday evening after being found unresponsive in his cell at the New River Valley Regional Jail.

Brian Johnston released a statement early today on behalf of his brother and their friend.

"We were sad to hear the news of his death," the statement said. "We would never wish death upon anyone."

-- Ed Kelleher