Eric Smith Research Paper

The case of Eric Smith can be very intriguing, as a matter of fact some people deem Eric Smith innocent, while others say he deserved his sentence for what he did. But, what did he do? In the case of Eric M. Smith, who was 13 at the time. Was convicted of killing 4 year old Derrick Joseph Robie, and was charged with 2nd degree murder as an adult. He faces 9 years up to life in prison.

How the murder occurred The beginning starts off a little odd. The case starts when Eric Smith explains to the press he was never raised in a good environment, stating he was bullied for his glasses, ears, short, red hair, etc. In the morning he was already feeling angry, stating that he found out the recreation program he was planning on going to wasn’t open

Smith, now officially charged with second-degree murder, now must serve his time. However, Eric can apply to a parole hearing every 2 years. It was stated by Online Article MyTwintiers that Eric had intotal applied to 11 total parole hearings. Ten being denied, The eleventh, being in 2021, was accepted. Each parole was initially denied by the victim’s parents. According to the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Eric would be released and plans to relocate in Queens County with his wife. As of now Eric M. Smith was released in February 2022, is currently 43 years old and now resides in Queens,

Smith, a 13 year old at the time, murdered four year old Derrick Joseph Robie on August 2, 1993. He then confesses to his crime and is charged with second-degree murder and is tried as an adult. He pleads not guilty and his official defense case was to be suffering from a mental disease that would make him lash out. He is later found guilty and charged with an adult second degree murder charge, and sentenced to a maximum of nine years to life. The first, to be held with a juvenile facility until 21 and then transferred to an adult prison. Eric Smith would then try parole a total of 10 times. The eleventh being successful in 2021 and being officially released in February 2021. In pure honesty, I think Eric Smith was treated fairly regardless of he was a child at the time of being convicted.

Works Cited

Loftus, Michael. “Eric Smith Was 13 When He Murdered a Child. Now He’s Back in the Headlines.” CBS News, 25 Mar. 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eric-smith-released-derrick-robie-murder-timeline/

Aldinger, Carl. “One Year Later: Eric Smith Released from Prison after 27 Years.” WETM - Mytwintiers.com, 1 Feb. 2023, https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/local-news/one-year-later-eric-smith-released-from-prison-after-27-years/

Murray, Jeff. “29 Years Ago, 4-Year-Old Derrick Robie Was Murdered by Eric Smith: What You Should Know.” Democrat & Chronicle, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2022,