Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised. This story contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some readers discretion advised.
In 1993, 13-year-old Eric Smith murdered 4-year-old Derrick Robie. After 28 years behind bars, Smith walked out of prison and has moved to Queens, New York.
eric smith was only 14 year old when he was given a sentence of nine years to life in prison.
smith had been convicted of murdering 4 year old derrick robie.
but before his arrest , many residents in savona, new york thought it might have been the work of an evil adult.
late in the afternoon, the body of derrick robie was found.
it was just a brutal , brutal killing.
when police found derrick, they discovered that he had been lured into a wooded area not far from his home, strangled , and beaten with rocks.
everybody thought it was an adult.and how could anybody do such a terrible thing.
but smith had walked into the police command center, four days after the murder, offering to help police solve the crime.
smith said that he had seen derrick that day ,with a white -tshirt on , holding a lunch bag. investigators felt like smith knew something. but didn’t realize the killer was sitting right in front of them.
then two days after derrick robie’s funeral .
smith confessed.
investigators and community members tried to understand why a 13 -year old boy would do such a thing.
they learned that smith had a history of being picked on as a young child. his bright red hair and freckles made him a target for bullies.
after he was convicted and sentenced
smith was sent to broookwood juvenile detention center.
for derrick robi’s parents . smith ‘s prison sentence did not give them the closure they had expected.
they were forced to deal with the harsh reality that their son’s killer would be eligible for parole beginning in 2002.
in 2002 , smith’s parole was denied.
but every two years, smith appeared in front of the parole board,hoping to prove that he had changed and was no longer a danger to society
the frequent hearing took a toll on derrick’s parents .who were forced to relive the horrors of their son’s killing.
in 2009 , as smith approached his thirties, he said he had changed in an interview with WENY -TV .
in 2010 ,the parole board turned him down again.
but as the years went by, clinical forensic psychologist joni johnston says smith seemed to be changing
” you’re starting to see some compassion from him for other people . so i’m seeing a little bit og hope for him now .”
years passed , and the parole board didn’t budge.
until october 2021 when his parole was granted.
but smith could not be released just yet . he still needed to find approved housing.
“eric smith, who gained national attention , almost three decades ago for killing a 4 year old has been set free.”
on february 1, 2022 , after spending 28 years behind bars ,eric smith walked out of prison
smith has moved to Qeen , new york , and says he has lans for his future.
” i want to you know , get married , raise a family , you know , hold down a job. pursue the american dream”
smith says he wants to counsel kids who have been bullied , just like he was.
the question is , will eric smith be a success story, or somebody that we’re pointing to and saying,” the system blew it with that one ?”