Convicted killer Eric Smith’s fate is again in the hands of a parole board.
A state Department of Corrections parole board will determine this month if Smith will be freed from prison or incarcerated for at least two more years. Smith has been denied parole three times since 2002.
Smith, now 28, is serving a nine-years-to-life sentence for the 1993 murder of 4-year-old Derrick Robie. Smith killed Robie as the boy walked to a summer camp in Savona.
If Smith is granted parole, he will be released June 28, according to the DOC.
Smith’s attorney, Susan BetzJitomir, has said repeatedly her client is ready to rejoin society. He is well-educated and has complied with prison programming, she said.
“He’s done everything he needs to,” she said.
BetzJitomir, who was not Smith’s trial attorney, is attempting to gain access to Smith’s pre-sentence report to determine why Smith hasn’t been paroled.
“We’re thinking there’s something in there (the report) that we’re not aware of,” she said. “I don’t have a copy of it. I’ve never seen it.”
BetzJitomir has filed a motion to have the report handed over to her.
During his time in prison, Smith has been cited for a handful of infractions, including disobeying a direct order, smoking and kissing another inmate.
Smith, who was moved to the maximum-security Clinton Correction Facility in 2001 after leaving juvenile custody, has since been moved to a medium-security facility located north of Interstate Highway 90 between Buffalo and Rochester.
In 2006 report released by the DOC, Smith said he would likely return to Savona if released.
This is the Money quote in my mind: “We’re thinking there’s something in there (the report) that we’re not aware of,” she said.
Eric Smith killed a4 year old boy, why are they even thinking of letting this animal out to walk amongst our children? Hello? Rabid dog alert!
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“Eric Smith killed a4 year old boy, why are they even thinking of letting this animal out to walk amongst our children? Hello? Rabid dog alert!”
Because Eric Smith was a CHILD when he commited this crime. I work with Harris County Youth in Houston.. any child who commits a serious offense, is treated as a child, unless tried as an adult at 17. Children will usually serve out their time in a juvenile detention center, and usually released upon completion of their sentence. He’s served a great deal of time already, what would have rehabilitated him was extensive therapy, not locking a troubled child up. THINK PEOPLE.
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Eric Smith should not be released on parole. Even though he was a child when he committed the crime, he was well aware what he was doing was WRONG. Yes, he needs therapy but he should not be allowed to walk free either. He can get therapy and stay locked up. The Robie family (or any other family) should not have to worry about him being out the street to kill anyone else.
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You don’t rehabilitate a creature like Eric Smith, you put it down for the betterment of society.
How about this J, how about you keep the dear little boy in your home, and let him babysit your children. I would prefer him dead.
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Eric Smith was 13 years old when he KILLED a 4 year old Derrick Robie. He was a teenager and he was definitely aware of what he was doing. He knew it was wrong but he not only did it anyway and he also enjoyed the whole thing. Dear J, we are thinking, we are thinking and grieving for Derrick’s family. His parents who lost a son to cold blooded murder; his little brother who looked for him in the house everyday after he was brutally KILLED. If Derrick is alive today, he would have been 19 and and graduated high school, went to his prom and leaving home for the first time going to university. This little soul will never have the chance to experience life and happiness and it was all taken away by a monster. Please tell me WHY this monster who was the cause of many people’s broken hearts should be released?
If he truly meant when he said that he is willing to trade places with Derrick, he should call off the parole himself, stay where he belongs because the place he is in right now is heaven compare to poor little Derrick.
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Absolutely my pleasure! Bill.
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He was denied.
There is justice!
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Thank God, parole denied again. I feel for him, as he is a tortured human spirit and a human being who must be treated as such. However, I am glad to see the parole board once again deny parole. He is definitely not ready to return to society and I doubt he ever will be. RIP Derrick R.
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I’ve seen the show about this several times that poor little boy Derrick did not deserve this by no means and Eric Smith just looks plain evil just look at how he looks today EVIL
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No one mentions that once released, you think he is not going to feel picked on again?? He will no doubt have a lot of problems back in the real world. I think worse than when he was a kid. Who knows, he might want to feel good again.
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